ˌfield-conˈventicle
An open-air religious meeting. See conventicle 4 c.
| 1678 Marvell Corr. ccclxi. Wks. 1872–5 II. 631 They [the Scots] still continue their..field conventicles. a 1715 [see conventicle n. 4 c]. a 1806 C. J. Fox Hist. 129 The punishment of death..had formerly attached upon the preachers at field conventicles only. |
| transf. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) I. 21 If we had..grave officers and judges, erected to restrain poetical licence..we shou'd have field-conventicles of lovers and poets. |
Hence
ˌfield-conˈventicle v., intr., to frequent or hold field-conventicles.
ˌfield-conˈventicler, one who attends or frequents field-conventicles.
| 1680 G. Hickes Spirit of Popery Pref. 3 They [the Scotch] began to Field-Conventicle. Ibid. 67 Jus populi vindicatum, and Naphthali are the Pocket-books of the Field-Conventiclers. 1687 Lond. Gaz. No. 2221/1 Those Enemies of Christianity as well as Government and Humane Society, The Field-Conventiclers. |