Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Council?

\Coun"cil\ (koun"s[i^]l), n. [F. concile, fr. L. concilium; con- + calare to call, akin to Gr. ??? to call, and E. hale, v., haul. Cf. {Conciliate}. This word is often confounded with counsel, with which it has no connection.] 1. An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case. 2. A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's council; a city council. An old lord of the council rated me the other day. --Shak. 3. Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation. Satan . . . void of rest, His potentates to council called by night. --Milton. O great in action and in council wise. --Pope. {Aulic council}. See under {Aulic}. {Cabinet council}. See under {Cabinet}. {City council}, the legislative branch of a city government, usually consisting of a board of aldermen and common council, but sometimes otherwise constituted. {Common council}. See under {Common}. {Council board}, {Council table}, the table round which a council holds consultation; also, the council itself in deliberation. {Council chamber}, the room or apartment in which a council meets. {Council fire}, the ceremonial fire kept burning while the Indians hold their councils. [U.S.] --Bartlett. {Council of war}, an assembly of officers of high rank, called to consult with the commander in chief in regard to measures or importance or nesessity. {Ecumenical council} (Eccl.), an assembly of prelates or divines convened from the whole body of the church to regulate matters of doctrine or discipline. {Executive council}, a body of men elected as advisers of the chief magistrate, whether of a State or the nation. [U.S.] {Legislative council}, the upper house of a legislature, usually called the senate. {Privy council}. See under {Privy}. [Eng.] Syn: Assembly; meeting; congress; diet; parliament; convention; convocation; synod.