commune
commune Lexical Profile
commune Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A group of people living together and sharing possessions, property, and responsibilities.
"The artists established a rural commune where everyone shared the farming and cooking duties."
The smallest territorial and administrative district in several countries, especially in France, Italy, and Switzerland, governed by a mayor and municipal council.
"Each French commune elects its own municipal council to oversee local infrastructure and public services."
• verb
To converse or communicate intimately and on a deep mental or spiritual level, or to feel in close harmony with nature or one's surroundings.
"Every weekend, she hikes into the quiet forest to commune with nature and clear her mind."
American To receive the Eucharist or Holy Communion in a Christian church service.
"Visiting members from partner congregations are warmly invited to commune at the altar rail."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Commune' is a heteronym: as a noun meaning a shared community or administrative district, it is stressed on the first syllable (KOM-yoon), whereas as a verb meaning to converse intimately or feel in harmony with, it is stressed on the second syllable (kuh-MYOON).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'comune' (meaning a free city or community of citizens) and 'comuner' (to share), ultimately from Medieval Latin 'communia', derived from Latin 'communis' ('common, shared by all').