An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1a) A social group whose members share common characteristics or interests, such as values, identity, and often a common location (e.g. a village, town, or neighborhood).

1b) Ecology: A group of populations of different species (plants and animals) within a specified location in space and time.

2. Common ownership or participation; joint possession.

Etymology (EN): Ultimately from L. communitas “partnership, society, fellowship,” from communis, → common “common, public, general,” + -itas, → -ity

Etymology (PE): Hamdârgân, from hamdâr, → common, + -gân suffix forming plural entities, from Mid.Pers. -gânag, -gâna, on the model of hamegân, → public.