Concourse

Origin

French concours, Latin concursus, from concurrere ("to run together"). See concur.

Noun

1. A large open space in a building where people can gather.
2. A large group of people; a crowd.
• Swift Gulliver, The Publisher to the ReaderAbout three years ago, Mr. Gulliver growing weary of the concourse of curious people coming to him at his house in Redriff, made a small purchase of land, with a convenient house, near Newark, in Nottinghamshire, his native country; where he now lives retired, yet in good esteem among his neighbours.
• PrescottAmidst the concourse were to be seen the noble ladies of Milan, in gay, fantastic cars, shining in silk brocade.
3. The running or flowing together of things; the meeting of things; confluence.
• 1662 - Thomas Salusbury (translator), Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems of the World, First Day:... there was only wanting the concourse of rains ...
• Sir M. HaleThe good frame of the universe was not the product of chance or fortuitous concourse of particles of matter.
• Sir Isaac NewtonThe drop will begin to move toward the concourse of the glasses.
4. An open space, especially in a park, where several roads or paths meet.
5. (obsolete) concurrence; cooperation
• BarrowThe divine providence is wont to afford its concourse to such proceeding.