council \coun"cil\ koun"si^l, n. f. concile, fr. l.
   concilium; con- + calare to call, akin to gr. ??? to call,
   and e. hale, v., haul. cf. conciliate. this word is often
   confounded with counsel, with which it has no connection.
   1913 webster
   1. an assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation,
      deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for
      consultation in a critical case.
      1913 webster

   2. a body of man elected or appointed to constitute an
      advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's
      council; a city council.
      1913 webster

            an old lord of the council rated me the other day.
                                                  --shak.
      1913 webster

   3. act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.
      1913 webster

            satan . . . void of rest,
            his potentates to council called by night. --milton.
      1913 webster

            o great in action and in council wise. --pope.
      1913 webster

   aulic council. see under aulic.

   cabinet council. see under cabinet.

   city council, the legislative branch of a city government,
      usually consisting of a board of aldermen and common
      council, but sometimes otherwise constituted.

   common council. see under common.

   council board, council table, the table round which a
      council holds consultation; also, the council itself in
      deliberation.

   council chamber, the room or apartment in which a council
      meets.

   council fire, the ceremonial fire kept burning while the
      indians hold their councils. u.s. --bartlett.

   council of war, an assembly of officers of high rank,
      called to consult with the commander in chief in regard to
      measures or importance or nesessity.

   ecumenical council eccl., an assembly of prelates or
      divines convened from the whole body of the church to
      regulate matters of doctrine or discipline.

   executive council, a body of men elected as advisers of the
      chief magistrate, whether of a state or the nation. u.s.
      

   legislative council, the upper house of a legislature,
      usually called the senate.

   privy council. see under privy. eng.

   syn: assembly; meeting; congress; diet; parliament;
        convention; convocation; synod.
        1913 webster
see also:
conciliate aulic council aulic cabinet council cabinet city council 
common council common council board council table council chamber 
council fire council of war ecumenical council executive council legislative council 
privy council privy