ˈȯldə(r)mən noun
( plural aldermen -mən)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English aldorman, ealdorman, from aldor, ealdor parent, head of a family (from ald, eald old) + man — more at old
1. : a person of rank, dignity, or authority ; specifically : one governing a former kingdom, a district, or a shire as the permanent representative of an Anglo-Saxon king
2. obsolete : a headman of a guild
3.
a. in England and Ireland
(1) : a magistrate ranking next to the mayor in cities and boroughs from medieval times until modern municipal reorganization
(2) : a member of the smaller of the two classes composing the borough or county council — compare bailie 2b
b. : one of the 26 chief officers chosen for life who heads a ward of the City of London
c. : a member of a legislative body of a city
a board of aldermen