council

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman cuncile, from Old French concile, from Latin concilium.

• enPR: kounʹ-səl, IPA^(key): /ˈkaʊn.səl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophone: counsel

council (plural councils)

1. A committee that leads or governs (e.g. city council, student council).
   • 1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess‎:

     He turned back to the scene before him and the enormous new block of council dwellings. The design was some way after Corbusier but the block was built up on plinths and resembled an Atlantic liner swimming diagonally across the site.

2. Discussion or deliberation.
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     Satan […] void of rest, / His potentates to council called by night.

   • (Can we date this quote?) Alexander Pope

     O great in action and in council wise.

• synod

• councillor
• councilman
• councilmember
• councilwoman
• Council Bluffs
• Council Grove

• counsel