In its primary sense, a collection, or assembly. Hence,

In a general sense, a collection, assemblage or society of men, invested with certain powers and rights, performing certain duties, or engaged in some common employment, or pursuit.

In a particular sense, an assembly for a political or ecclesiastical purpose as the college of Electors or their deputies at the diet in Ratisbon. So also, the college of princes, or their deputies; the college of cities, or deputies of the Imperial cities; the college of Cardinals, or sacred college. In Russia, the denomination, college, is given to councils of state, courts or assemblies of men intrusted with the administration of the government, and called Imperial college; the college of foreign affairs; the college of war; the admiralty college; the college of justice; the college of commerce; the medical college. In Great Britain and the United States of America, a society of physicians is called a college. So also there are colleges of surgeons; and in Britain, a college of philosophy, a college of heralds, a college of justiceColleges of these kinds are usually incorporated or established by the supreme power of the state.

An edifice appropriated to the use of students, who are acquiring the languages and sciences.

The society of persons engaged in the pursuits of literature, including the officers and students. Societies of this kind are incorporated and endowed with revenues.

In foreign universities, a public lecture.