a formal association of people with similar interests
He joined a golf club. They formed a small lunch society. Men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today.
source: WordNet 3.0
An association of men belonging to the same class, or engaged in kindred pursuits, formed for mutual aid and protection; a business fraternity or corporation; as, the Stationers' Guild; the Ironmongers' Guild. They were originally licensed by the government, and endowed with special privileges and authority.
