as·so·ci·a·tion n
1: a group of persons who share common interests or a common purpose and who are organized with varying degrees of formality compare corporation
2: the act of having contact or communication with or keeping company with another
3: the sharing (as by an aider and abettor) in the criminal intent of a person who commits a crime
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.