A society is a number of persons united together by mutual consent, in order to deliberate, determine, and act jointly for some common purpose. 2. Societies are either incorporated and known to the law, or unincorporated, of which the law does not generally take notice. 3. By civil society is usually understood a state, a nation, or a body politic. 4. An association or company of persons (generally not incorporated) united together for any mutual or common purpose. In a wider sense, the community or public; the people in general.