company

company, party, band, troop, troupe are comparable when they denote a group of persons who are associated in a joint endeavor or who are assembled for a common end.

Company is the general term for either a temporary assemblage or a permanent association of individuals who join forces

{

the glorious company of the apostles— Book of Common Prayer

}

{

the whole company of thinkers who have written philosophy— Sullivan

}

A party is a company assembled temporarily for a common purpose

{

search party

}

{

dinner party

}

{

a party of visitors from the country

}

A band is a company united by a common tie or purpose; the term implies closer organization and a less casual coming together than does company

{

the robbers worked in bands

}

{

a band of musicians

}

{

that small, transfigured band . . . whose one bond is, that all have been unspotted by the world— Arnold

}

A troop is a company or band that works or acts together in close formation or in unanimity; the term frequently suggests a throng or multitude

{

there entertain him all the saints above, in solemn troops, and sweet societies— Milton

}

{

a mobile and dynamic troop whose major aims are the improvement of the mind— Hauser

}

In specific use troop is applied to a band of soldiers or, in the plural troops, to soldiers collectively

{

farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars— Shak.

}

{

British troops

}

When the reference is to a company of performers (especially on the stage)

troupe is the preferred spelling

{

a circus troupe

}

Analogous words: *set, circle, coterie, clique: *association, society, club, order: *crowd, throng, mob, horde