I. ˈkau̇n(t)sə̇l also ˈkän- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English counceil, conceil (influenced in meaning by Middle English counseil, conseil counsel, council), from Old French concile assembly, ecclesiastical assembly, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin concilium ecclesiastical assembly, from Latin, assembly, from com- + -cilium (from calare to call) — more at counsel , low
1.
a. : an assembly of ecclesiastics or church representatives convened to consider matters of doctrine, discipline, law, morals, or the relation of the Christian church to world problems
seven widely recognized ecumenical (or general) councils of the Christian church are those held at Nicaea, 325; Constantinople, 381; Ephesus, 431; Chalcedon, 451; Constantinople, 553; Constantinople, 680; Nicaea, 787
b. : a meeting of the Sanhedrin or of a similar minor assembly with limited jurisdiction
the Pharisees went out and held a council against him — Mt 12:14 (Authorized Version)
2. : a deliberative assembly
the department is under a prefect and an elected general council of 36 members — Statesman's Year Book
: an assembly or meeting held for consultation, advice, or discussion
a council among the leaders
: a meeting for discussion
3. : a somewhat permanent group elected or appointed to constitute an advisory body or a body with a degree of legislative power
a privy council
a council of state
a governor's council
4. : an administrative body: as
a. : a local governing instrumentality (as of a town, borough, city, or county)
county councils in England
borough councils in the U.S.
b. : a collegial executive body
the Federal Council of Switzerland
c. : one of three governing bodies of a British university composed chiefly of persons not otherwise connected with the institution and charged with administrative functions — compare court 4c, senate
d. : soviet
e. : a governing body consisting of voting delegates from local labor unions united in a federation
5. : the deliberation carried on in a council or council chamber : consultation
summoned to council
sometimes : counsel
6.
a. : a federation of or a central body uniting a group of organizations
b. : a local chapter of an organization
c. : club , society , association
II. intransitive verb
( counciled or councilled ; counciled or councilled ; counciling or councilling -s(ə̇)liŋ ; councils )
: to hold a council : meet and deliberate in council — used especially of the councils of American Indians
III. adjective
1. : used for councils especially by or with No. American Indians
a council ground
2. Britain : built, maintained, or operated by a local governing agency
a council house
council flats