society-n; 5 Senses

Sense Number 1: an extended social group with cultural and political institutions

Commentary: SOCIETY[+community][+extended][+shared][+institutions][+cultural/+economic/+political]
NOTE: refers to whole nations of peoples, or sets of people that follow certain norms.

Examples:
We studied several hunting and gathering societies in our anthropology course.
These programs are designed to help ex-convicts merge back into society.
Her mother said that such things are not done in polite society. (adherents of a certain norm)
It's a science fiction story about a futuristic society of intelligent cat-like creatures. (metaphoric extension)

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: club or association of people with a shared interest

Commentary: SOCIETY[+association][+interest][+shared][+academic/+profession/+civic/+hobby]
NOTE: usually implies a formally established club

Examples:
Last year he was president of a prestigious philosophical society.
It's a society dedicated to the preservation of the town's parks and conservation lands.
There are a number of literary societies based in New York.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: companionship

Commentary: SOCIETY[+event][+state][+social][+interaction][+pleasurable] fellowship the state of being with others

Examples:
She needs to get out more in society. (have social relations)
He enjoyed the society of his friends.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: the fashionable elite of a given community

Commentary: SOCIETY[+community][+subset][+prestigious][+wealthy]
NOTE: refers to the wealthy, prestigious and prominent class of a community. the fashionable elite

Examples:
Although he had money, he was largely shunned by high society.
It was a society wedding attended by most of the city's blue bloods.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: groups of interdependent organisms within, or across, species

Commentary: SOCIETY[+natural][+community][+organisms][+interdependent]
NOTE: refers to organisms other than humans (see Sense 1)

Examples:
The naturalist has studied behaviors in several insect societies.
Crows live in a hierarchical society where members vie for higher slots in the pecking order.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 5