An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An organized group of persons associated together for scientific, cultural,
or other purposes; e.g. a physical society. See also:
→ associate, → association,
→ dissociate, → dissociation, → social, → socialization, → socialize, → societal.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. societe, from L. societatem (nominative societas), from socius “companion,” → associate.

Etymology (PE): Hazâné, from Av. hacenay- “getting together, association,” from verb hac-, hax- “to associate, follow, accompany”
(haxay-, hašy-, haš- “friend”), hacaiti “follows;”
hacā “from, out of;” O.Pers. hacā “from” (Mid.Pers. hac “from;” Mod.Pers. az “from”);
PIE base *sek^w- “to follow;” cf. Skt. sac- “to be associated or united with,” sácate “accompanies, follows,” sácā “with;” Gk. hepesthai “to follow;” L. sequi “to follow.”