The Collaborative International Dictionary
Council \Coun"cil\ (koun"s[i^]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.]
An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case.
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A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's council; a city council.
An old lord of the council rated me the other day.
--Shak. -
Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.
Satan . . . void of rest, His potentates to council called by night.
--Milton.O great in action and in council wise.
--Pope.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.
WordNet
n. a room where a committee meets (such as the board of directors of a company) [syn: boardroom]
Usage examples of "council chamber".
I want a better report than that bald statement you made in the council chamber!
Very little that was dangerous could be brought into the Council chamber.
Paran sat slouched on one of the lower benches in the Thrall's council chamber.
He laughed, loud and mocking, swirled with a great flying toss of his cape and his long light hair, and turned his back, striding out of the Council Chamber.
Cerryl stood in the shadows by the columns at the back of the north side of the Council Chamber, not erecting a light shield exactly, but letting the light sift, or blur, around him, as though he were not quite there.
Looking around the table in the Council chamber, he noted that several of the members seemed impatient for him to come to his point.
Chani had other worries during these years beyond those of a negotiator Five times during this period, attempts were made on the Royal Concubine s life, once the would-be assassin managed to infiltrate her apartments and might have succeeded m his aim had his knifcwork been just a fraction more expert Chani managed to dispatch him with her cryskmfe and stormed into the Council Chamber without pausing to change her robe The sight of her bursting into the room, stained with her assailant's blood, her hand still poised on the sheathed cryskmfc's handle, threw the table into an uproar Amid the confusion, Lady Jessica-as Cham had antici pated she would-focused her attention on Irulan, soon to be Paul's Consort-m-name The Princess was genuinely stunned, but what convinced Jessica of Irulan's innocence was the brief expression of surprised pleasure that escaped her before her Bene Gessent .