so‧ci‧e‧ty S1 W1 / səsaɪəti, səsaɪɪti / 名词 ( 复数形式 societies )
1 people in general [不可数名词] people in general, considered in relation to the laws, organizations etc that make it possible for them to live together :
technology and its effects on modern society
Children are the most vulnerable members of society .
2 a particular group [可数和不可数名词] a particular large group of people who share laws, organizations, customs etc :
Britain is now a multiracial society.
the capitalist societies of the West
the conservative segment of American society
3 club [可数名词] an organization or club with members who share similar interests, aims etc :
the university film society
the American Cancer Society
society of
the Society of Black Lawyers
4 upper class [不可数名词] the fashionable group of people who are rich and powerful :
a society wedding
high society (= the richest, most fashionable etc people )
5 being with people [不可数名词] formal when you are together with other people
society of
Holidays are a time to enjoy the society of your family.
6 polite society middle- or upper-class people who behave correctly in social situations
in polite society (= among middle- or upper-class people )
The subject was rarely mentioned in polite society.
→ building society , friendly society
COLLOCATIONS
形容词
a free society Censorship has no place in a free society.
a civilized society A civilized society should treat its elderly members well.
a civil society (= a society based on laws that everyone accepts ) The protection of human rights is essential for a civil society.
a multicultural/multiracial society We live in a multicultural society.
a democratic society Education is important in a democratic society.
an advanced/modern society The Greeks formed the first advanced societies in the West. | This kind of hatred and violence have no place in a modern society like ours.
an industrial society In complex industrial societies, different groups specialize in particular activities.
a primitive society In almost all primitive societies, volcanoes have been regarded with fear.
a just society We are making progress towards a just society.
a classless society (= one in which people are not divided into different social classes ) the Prime Minister’s vision of a classless society
a capitalist society As consumers in a capitalist society, we can press companies to behave responsibly.
the larger/wider society (= used when comparing a small group of people to society as a whole ) The poor are part of the larger society, and programs must be there to help them.
THESAURUS
organization a group of people, companies, or countries, which is set up for a particular purpose : Greenpeace is an international organization that protects the environment. | the World Health Organization
institution a large important organization such as a bank, church, or university : The University is an important academic institution. | financial institutions such as banks
association an organization for people in a particular profession, sport, or activity, which officially represents its members – often used in names : I met a representative of the National Association of Teachers. | the Football Association
party an organization of people with the same political aims which you can vote for in elections : Which political party do you support? | He voted for the Republican Party’s candidate.
body an important group of people who make the rules and advise people about what should be allowed : the sport’s governing body | The government has set up an advisory body .
club/society an organization for people who share an interest, for example a sport : We belong to a tennis club. | I joined the university film society.
union an organization formed by workers in order to protect their rights : The union ordered its members out on strike.
charity an organization which collects money to help people who are poor, sick etc and does not make any profit for itself : She has raised a lot of money for local charities.
quango British English disapproving an organization set up by the government, which has official power but whose members have not been elected : the amount of money that is wasted on government quangos