The aot of a number of persons who unite or join together for some special purpose or business. The union of a company of persons for the transaction of designated affairs, or the attainment of some common object. An unincorporated society; a body of persons united and acting together without a charter, but upon the methods and forms used by incorporated bodies for the prosecution of some common enterprise. Allen v. Stevens, 33 App. Div. 485, 54 N. Y. Supp. 23; Pratt v. Asylum, 20 App. Div. 352, 46 N. T. Supp. 1035; State v. Steele, 37 Minn. 428, 34 N. W. 903; Mills v. State, 23 Tex. 303; Laycock v. State, 136 Ind. 217, 36 N. E. 137. In English law. A writ directing certain persons (usually the clerk and his subordinate officers) to associate themselves with the justices and sergeants for the purposes of taking the assises. 3 BL Comm. 59, 60. Articles of association. See Articles. National banking associations. The statutory title of corporations organized for the purpose of carrying on the business of banking under the laws of the United States. Rev. St. U. S.