ˈlejə̇ˌslāchə(r) sometimes ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: legislat or + -ure
1. : a body of persons having the power to legislate ; specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit and often exercising other functions (as control of the administration)
the legislature in every state except Nebraska is a bicameral … body — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
the imperial parliament is historically the supreme legislature of the king's dominions — Martin Wight
— compare assembly 1a, congress 3, parliament , senate
2. obsolete : the exercise of the power or function of legislating : legislation 1
inconvenient to have both the legislature and the execution in the same hands — Gilbert Burnet