a group of people appointed to advise the British king or queen. It is made up of politicians and other important people in the legal profession, the Church and the Commonwealth, and its head is the Lord President of the Council . At present it has over 400 members, who are given the position for life. The Privy Council first became powerful in the 14th century, but was replaced in 1688 by the Cabinet . It now has few functions in government, and is mainly important as a personal honour for its members.
► Privy Councillor ( also Privy Counsellor ) n
a member of the Privy Council. Privy Councillors are formally addressed as ‘the Right Honourable Mr/Mrs Smith’, etc. and have the letters ‘PC’ after their name.