noun
Archaic noun for a gathering, especially a Buddhist or festive event. In modern Japanese, this meaning is mostly found in historical or literary contexts, or in compound words like 法会 (ほうえ, Buddhist memorial service).
古い記録には、春の会が盛大に行われたとある。
Old records say that a spring gathering was held on a grand scale.
「法会」という言葉は、今でも仏教の集まりを
The word 法会 still refers to a Buddhist gathering today.
会合 is the modern, common word for a meeting or gathering, while 会 (え) is archaic and limited to specific contexts.
集会 is a general term for an assembly or rally, whereas 会 (え) is an old-fashioned term for a festive or religious gathering.
The kanji 会 means 'meeting' or 'gathering'. The reading え is the native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) and is now archaic as a standalone word, surviving mainly in compounds.