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council

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The definition of a council is a group of people called together or chosen for discussion or to make decisions.

(noun)

An example of a council is a group brought together to decide how city funds should be spent.

See council in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a group of people called together for consultation, discussion, advice, etc.
a group of people chosen as an administrative, advisory, or legislative assembly
1. the legislative body of a city or other municipality
2. Brit. the administrative body of a county, town, city, district, etc.
an assembly of church officials to discuss points of doctrine, etc.
1. a body of delegates from local units of a union, confederation, etc.
2. an organization or society, or one of its levels of governing bodies
the discussion or deliberation in a council

Origin: ME counceil < OFr concile < L concilium, group of people, meeting < com-, together + calere, to call (see clamor); confused in form and meaning in ME with counsel

adjective

Brit. designating or of dwelling units built or provided by a local council (): council houses

See council in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An assembly of persons called together for consultation, deliberation, or discussion.
b. A body of people elected or appointed to serve as administrators, legislators, or advisors.
c. An assembly of church officials and theologians convened for regulating matters of doctrine and discipline.
The discussion or deliberation that takes place in such an assembly or body.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English counceil

Origin: , from Old French concile

Origin: , from Latin concilium; see kelə-² in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: Council, counsel, and consul are never interchangeable, though their meanings are related. Council and councilor refer principally to a deliberative assembly (such as a city council or student council), its work, and its membership. Counsel and counselor pertain chiefly to advice and guidance in general and to a person (such as a lawyer or camp counselor) who provides it. Consul denotes an officer in the foreign service of a country.

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