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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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.]
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1. An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation,
deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for
consultation in a critical case.
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2. A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an
advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's
council; a city council.
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An old lord of the council rated me the other day.
--Shak.
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3. Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.
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Satan . . . void of rest,
His potentates to council called by night. --Milton.
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O great in action and in council wise. --Pope.
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{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.
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