Council

sb. Forms: 2 (concilium), concilie, 3 conceil, 4–6 counceil, 5 -ceyl(l, 5– -cell, 6 concille, cowncell(e, 6–7 councel, 6–8 councill, 6– council. Also (esp. in senses 4–) 3–5 conseil, 4 cunsile, consile, consail, (-aile, -aille, 4–5 consale, -sell), counseil, (-seile, -sile), 4–6 counsail, -sayl, 4–7 counseill, -saile, 5 conseille, counseille, -seyl, -le, -ll, cownsell, 5–6 conseyl(l, 5–7 counsell, -sall, cownsele, -ell(e, 6 cunsel, counsaille, -sayle, -sayll, 6–7 -sale, 6–8 counsel. [In Branch I, repr. OF. cuncile, ONF. concilie, = L. concilium (f. con- together + cal- to call) a convocation, assembly, meeting, union, connection, close conjunction; sometimes an assembly for consultation, in which sense it became confused with consilium an advisory body (though the confusion was perh. in most cases due to later scribes of MSS.). In mediæval times concilium was mainly appropriated to the assemblies convoked to settle points of doctrine and discipline in the Church, or the relations between Church and State in particular countries,—the Councils. An early L.-Gr. Gloss. in Du Cange has Concilium, συνέδριον, συμβούλιον, σύνοδος; and an ancient Codex of the Canons quoted by him has ‘Synodum autem ex Græco interpretari Comitatum, vel Cœtum; Concilii autem nomen tractum ex more Romano.’ In OF. consilium came down as a living word in the form conseil, while concile (concire) was used for the ecclesiastical concilium, which sense it still exclusively retains. In English, the two words were, from the beginning, completely confused: conseil was frequently spelt conceil; concile was spelt consile and conceil; and the two words were treated as one, under a variety of forms, of which counseil, later counsel, was the central type. In the 16th c. differentiation again began: councel, later council, was established for the ecclesiastical concilium, F. concile; and this spelling has been extended to all cases in which the word means a deliberative assembly or advisory body (where L. has consilium, Fr. conseil), leaving counsel to the action of counselling and kindred senses. The practical distinction thus established between council and counsel does not correspond to Latin or French usage.]

  * I.  Uses derived from L. concilium.

  † 1.  generally. An assembly called together for any purpose; a convocation or congregation. Obs.

  In the simple sense found only at an early date, and passing imperceptibly into the sense of ‘deliberative assembly’ (4).

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 16076 (Cott.). Vp þar stert tua panteners in middes þat consile.

c. 1340.  E. E. Psalter (E.E.T.S.), xxxix. [xl.] 14. Ich ne hidde nouȝt þy mercy and þy soþenes fram þe michel conseil [Vulg. a concilio multo] of þe vntrew.

c. 1400.  [see 4].

  2.  spec. An assembly of ecclesiastics (with or without laymen) convened for the regulation of doctrine or discipline in the church, or, in earlier times, of settling points in dispute between the ecclesiastical and civil powers. [The only sense of F. concile.]

  Variously qualified according to its sphere, as œcumenical, general, national, patriarchal, primatial, provincial, diocesan (this = synod). Without qualification, usually applied to general councils, i.e., those called together by an invitation to the church at large, and claiming to speak in the name of the whole church, whether ultimately accepted as doing so (œcumenical) or not. In early times general council was used less definitely, e.g., for a national or provincial council. In the Middle Ages there were also mixed councils, which met to settle both spiritual and civil affairs.

  α.  [a. 1123.  O. E. Chron., an. 1119. Se [Pope Calixtus II.] syððan … com into France to Ræins and þær heold concilium]. Ibid. (1125). Cardinal Johan of Creme … heold his concilie on Lundene … mid ærce biscopes and mid leod biscopes and abbotes and læred and lawed.

1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 495. This bissopes … & abbodes al so, A conceil made general.

1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., ccxlix. 318. In this same tyme was the counseyll of Basyll to whiche counceyll pope Eugenye was cyted to come.

1643.  Westm. Confess. Faith, p. xxxi. All synods and councils since the Apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred.

1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 38. Condemn’d in the generall Councels.

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 19. To profess, the doctrine of the council of Nice.

1868.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), II. x. 459. Two synods held at Rome … one of them the second Lateran Council.

1885.  Catholic Dict., 230. At the Vatican Council the members were arranged in accordance with their hierarchical rank.

  β.  c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 503. Þis counseil of freris at London.

1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, 37. By holy sayntes and popes and generall conseylles.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 192 b. In the Crede of Nycene counsyle.

1552.  Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 1. His provincial counsale haldin at Edinburgh. Ibid., 5. The decisiouns and determinatiouns of general counsallis.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 11. A generall counsaile of the Bishops, and Clergie of the Realme at Oxford.

1581.  Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 67. There was no Appeale, but vnto a generall Counsell.

  3.  In the New Testament, regularly used to render Gr. συνέδριον, Vulg. concilium, chiefly in reference to the Jewish Sanhedrim, or a meeting of that body.

  [In the MSS. and printed texts of the Vulgate, concilium and consilium are often confused; in Acts xxv. 12 the Clementine text has concilio, followed by the English versions, including 1611 and 1881, with council; but the oldest MSS. have consilio, the proper rendering of συμβουλίον. The Anglo-Saxon Gospels usually represent concilium by ʓemót, but they, as well as the versions of the Psalter, have sometimes ʓeþeaht, ‘counsel, advice,’ implying that the translator had consilium before him in the Latin, e.g., in Mark xiv. 55 (where consilium is actually the reading of important MSS. written in Ireland and England. In Matt. xii. 14, συμβούλιον ἔλαβον, is rendered in the Vulgate consilium faciebant, for which Tindale, Cranmer, and version of 1611 have ‘helde a counsell’; current editions of 1611 have ‘held a council,’ 1881, correctly, ‘took counsel.’]

1382.  Wyclif, Acts v. 21. They clepiden togidere the counceil [1388 counsel, Tind., Cranm. counsell, Genev. Council, Rhem. Councel, 1611. Councill].

1611.  Bible, Mark xiv. 55. The chiefe Priests, and all the counsell [Wycl. counceil, Tind., Cranm. counsell, Genev. Council, Rhem. councel, mod. edd. of 1611 & R. V. council] sought for witnesse against Iesus, to put him to death, & found none. Ibid., John xi. 47. Then gathered y^e chiefe Priests and the Pharises a councell [v.rr. as in last].

1638.  Penit. Conf., viii. (1657), 273. The unclean person was condemned by the Sanedrim or Council.

  ** Uses derived from L. consilium, F. conseil.

  II.  An advisory or deliberative assembly.

  4.  An assembly or meeting for consultation or advice, as a family council, a council of physicians; a deliberative assembly.

  α.  c. 1275.  [see in b].

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 1703. Then he somond all þe Cite … To a counsell to come for a cause hegh.

c. 1450.  Merlin, i. 2. In this maner the fendes helden a gret conseill, and seide, [etc.].

1651.  Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., v. § 6. 79. The gathering together of many men who deliberate of what is to be done, or not to be done, for the common good … is that which I call a Counsell.

  β.  1485.  Caxton, Chas. Gt., 16. Thenne the bourgoynons helden a counceyl.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., III. ii. 78. But by the holy Rood, I doe not like these seuerall Councels.

1726.  Adv. Capt. R. Boyle, 172. I call’d a Council, to know what Course we should steer next.

1823.  J. D. Hunter, Mem. Captivity N. Amer., 25. Till their fate is finally determined in a general council of the victorious warriors.

1875.  Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. xi. 356. No legislative act turned the witenagemot into a feudal council, and … the feudal council into a parliament.

  b.  Great Council (in Eng. Hist.): sometimes applied to a Witena gemót or assembly of the witan, under the Anglo-Saxon kings; more frequently to the assemblies under the Norman kings of tenants-in-chief and great ecclesiastics, out of which the House of Lords originated, and to occasional general assemblies of the barons or peers in later times. Also used of similar national assemblies of other countries, as the Cortes of Spain or Portugal.

  The last Great Council in England was that summoned by Charles I. at York in 1640, after the practice had been long disused. The name, though proper to the assembly, is sometimes given to its constituents as a permanent body cf. sense 6. So General or National Council.

  α.  c. 1275.  Lay., 2324. Þe men to gaderes eode an [h]eolde conseil grete [c. 1205 muchel husting] þe hehteste of þan londe.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), iii. 16. At his awtier þei holden here grete conseilles and here assembleez.

1456.  Paston Lett., No. 285, I. 392. Th’ Erle of Sar’ [Salisbury] in London … at begynyng this day of the grete Counsail.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccxvi. 274. Ther was a great counsell in Englande, on the orderyng of the realme, and specially on the kynges chyldren.

  β.  1425.  Sc. Acts Jas. I. (1597), § 52. Prelates, Erles, Barronnes and free halders of the King within the Realme … ar halden to giue presence in the Kingis Parliament, and Generall councell.

1640.  in Hardwicke, State Pap. (1778), 208. In the Great Council of the Peers at York, Tuesday 25th September 1640. Ibid., Sir T. Roe, Ibid., 169. A grand council not called these three hundred yeare.

1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., II. § 95. A new convention … (that … had not been practised in some hundreds of years) was thought of, to call a Great Council of all the Peers of England to meet and attend his majesty at York.

1875.  Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. xi. 356. The witenagemot … now [Norman Period] subsisting under the title of the great court or council, forms a second circle round the sovereign. Under the Conqueror this assembly retained very much of its earlier character…. It was however rather a court than an organized council.

1876.  S. R. Gardiner, Puritan Rev. (1880), 110. The king had already [1640] called round him, after an obsolete precedent, a Great Council of Peers.

  c.  Cabinet Council: see CABINET 8, 8 b.

1679–1726.  [see CABINET 8 b].

1827.  Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), III. xv. 188. The plans of government are discussed and determined in a cabinet council.

  d.  See also Council of War 14 a, Common Council 15 c.

  5.  Phrases. At, in, to, from council: i.e., the deliberative assembly, the council-chamber, and thence the consultation or deliberation that takes place there. (Cf. at church, school, etc.)

  α.  [a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10696 (Cott.). Here-of in consail suld þai spek.]

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. III. 95. Þe king com from Counseyl [v.r. counseil, -ceil, -seyle, conseil, B. conseille, C. consail], and cleped aftur Mede.

c. 1400.  Sowdone Bab., 363. The Pope … dide calle than to counsaile Alle the Senatoures of Rome.

c. 1450.  Merlin, ii. 28. Than wente the clerkes to counsell.

1539.  Taverner, Erasm. Prov. (1552), 13. Come not to counsayle afore thou be called.

a. 1631.  Donne, Poems (1650), 81. You may at Revels, you at counsaile, sit.

  β.  1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. (1843), 27/2. The qualities and qualifications of the several persons in authority in court and council.

1671.  Milton, P. R., I. 40. But in mid air To Councel summons all his mighty Peers.

1721.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 50. The duke … sat all night … in Council with his privy councillors.

1821.  Byron, Mar. Fal., I. i. The Signory is deep in council.

1868.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), II. 15. Great alike in battle and in council.

  III.  A body of counsellors (or councillors).

  6.  A body of men chosen or designated as permanent advisers on matters of state, esp. to advise and assist a sovereign or ruler in the administration of the government. In Eng. Hist. chiefly applied to the King’s PRIVY COUNCIL (q.v.), in which sense it is still used in the Committee of Council on Education, and for the Channel Islands; also in Orders in Council.

  α.  [1292.  Britton, I. Prol. 2. Par le assent de nos Countes et Barouns et autres de noster conseyl.]

1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 77. Þo þe conseil of Rome y leuede ys faire bi hest.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, V. 480. His consell he assemblit then.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 514. Neiþer þe kyng ne his counsayl deede unriȝtfully.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxv. 115. He schall schew it to þe emperour, or to his counsail.

1546.  Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden), 97. The lorde chaunsler with the dewke of Norfoke and other of the cownsell.

1611.  Cotgr., s.v. Conseil The principall Secretaries who euer attend his Maiestie in this Counsell.

  β.  1535.  Coverdale, Dan. iii. 24. Then Nabuchodonosor … spake vnto his councel and sayde.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., I. i. 35. The Councell shall heare it, it is a Riot.

1652.  Milton, in Marvell’s Corr., Wks. 1872–5, II. 9. If … the Councell shall think that I need any assistance.

1765.  Blackstone, Comm., I. 222. The principal council belonging to the king is his privy council, which is generally called, by way of eminence, the council.

1785.  (title) Report of the Lords of the Committee of Council … upon the Two Questions referred to them by his Majesty’s Order in Council of the 14th of January last.

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), I. iii. 112–3. The King and his Witan acted together;… they were his own council.

1892.  (title) Annual Report of the Committee of Council on Education.

  b.  In this sense Council of State was also used, as it is still in speaking of France (= Conseil d’État) and other foreign countries.

  α.  1611.  Cotgr., Conseil des affaires, The Counsell of State; the Priuie Councell; held ordinarily in the Kings closet.

  β.  1654.  Cokaine, Dianea, I. 55. His Father … who was the chiefe of his [the King’s] Councell of State.

1670.  R. Coke, Disc. Trade, 2. Who are the Council of State in England? They are those Persons with whom the King pleases to Advise and Consult in State Affairs.

1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 7, ¶ 18. The Emperor hath lately added 20 new Members to his Council of State.

1825.  A. Caldcleugh, Trav. S. Amer., I. iv. 96. (Brazil), An absolute hereditary monarchy, with a council of state, secretaries and boards for the administration of the treasury, war, and home departments.

  † c.  Also in other obs. titles, as Secret Council (in Scotl.), Council of Trade, etc.

1633.  Sc. Acts Chas. I., Act 5. It shall bee lawfull to him to have recourse to the Lords of secret Councell.

1670.  R. Coke, Disc. Trade, 66. To have a constant Council of Trade established by Act of Parliament.

1783.  Gentl. Mag., LIII. II. 287. In ancient times, the sovereign frequently directed the principal manufacturing towns to send representatives to the Council of Trade.

  7.  Sc. Hist. The Scottish Privy Council, the members of which, called Lords of Council, sat for judicial business during the vacation of Parliament; also the Daily Council, a body having civil jurisdiction, created by Act Jas. IV., 1503, c. 58.

  In 1532, the functions of the latter body, together with those of the ‘Session of James I.’ (Act 1425, c. 65), and the judicial functions of the Lords Auditors of Parliament (instituted 1368–9) were combined in the College of Justice, also called Court of Session, then created. To the ordinary judges of this court, called in the Act of 1532 Lords of Session, the King exercised (till 1723) the right to conjoin three or four ‘vther Lordes’ from the members of his Council. Hence the judges of the court are styled Lords of Council and Session, and its records the Books of Council and Session.

1471.  Sc. Acts Jas. III. (1597), § 49. Quhair ony partie followis ony action before the Lordes of Councell. Ibid. (1489), Jas. IV., § 12. That the said councel now chosen in this present Parliament be sworne in the Kingis presence and his three Estaites. Ibid. (1503), Jas. IV., § 58. That there be ane councel chosen be the Kings Hienesse, quhilk sall sit continually in Edinburgh … to decide all maner of Summoundes in civill maters, complaintes, and causes dailie … And sall haue the samin power, as the Lordes of Session. Ibid. (1540), Jas. V., § 78. Of the admission of Notars, be the Lordes of Session … It is statute and ordained that all Schireffes … present their Clerkes and Notars in presence of my Lorde Chancellar, Presidente, and Lords of Councell, to be examined, sworne, and admitted. Ibid. (1593), Jas. VI., § 191. The Lordes of Councell and session, sall na-waies graunt onie suspension or relaxation fra the horne.

1698.  Sir J. Nisbet (title), Some Doubts and Questions on the Law, especially of Scotland; as also some Decisions of the Lords of Council and Session.

1861.  W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., s.v., The Judges or Senators of the College of Justice are also called Lords of Council and Session. The ‘Books of Council and Session’ is the name given to the records in which deeds, and other writs competent to be inserted in the record of that court, are registered.

  8.  In Crown colonies and dependencies of Great Britain, a body assisting the governor in an executive or legislative capacity, or in both. This survives in some of the United States, as Massachusetts and Maine, in the advisory body called the Governor’s Council.

[1606.  in Capt. Smith’s Wks. (Arb.), Introd. 33. Us whom it hath pleased the King’s Majesty to appoint of the Counsel for the intended voyage to Virginia. Ibid. (1607), 54. Captaine Smyth was this Day sworne one of the Counsell, who was elected in England.]

1683.  Col. Rec. Pennsylv., I. 57. Journal of the Councell of the Province of Pensilvania.

1774.  T. Hutchinson, in P. O. Hutchinson, Diary & Lett. (1883), I. 137. The House directed the Secretary of the Province [of Massachusetts Bay] to deliver to me [the Gov.] a paper addressed to the Governor and Council.

1839.  Penny Cycl., XIV. 347/1. Malta is a crown colony, and the local government is conducted by a governor, who, in legislative matters, is assisted by a council of six persons nominated by the crown.

1857.  Ld. Canning, in J. B. Norton, Topics (1858), 74. The Governor-General in Council is sorry to see [etc.].

1889.  Whitaker’s Almanack, 433. Hong Kong … a Crown colony … administered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council of six members, together with a Legislative Council of twelve members.

  9.  In reference to foreign countries: The name of various deliberative and administrative bodies:

  e.g., Council of Ancients or Elders, C. of Five Hundred, the two branches of the French Legislative Body, under the Directory, 1795–99; C. of Conscience, in France, Spain, etc., a council in which the king, with his confessor, and certain other persons, decided matters of religious or ecclesiastical incidence; C. of Ten, a secret tribunal of the Venetian Republic from 1310–1797; Governor’s Council (see 8). See also the quots.

1630.  R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 239. [In Spain] matters … are handled in severall Councels, and they are seven in number, besides the Privie Councell…: The Councell of Spaine, of the Indies, of Italy, of the Low-Countries, of Warre, of the Order of Saint Iohn, and of the Inquisition. Ibid., 358. The Venetian hath two maine advantages above all other Princes: The one is, that they have a councell that is immortall. Ibid., 524. In this Councell called Divan, (where audience is open to every suter) they [Turks] consult of Embassies,… of matters of State and of Soveraigntie.

1659.  B. Harris, Parival’s Iron Age, 108. The Spaniards, by the permission of the Counsell of Conscience, resolved upon it [i.e., assisting the Huguenots in France].

1670.  Lond. Gaz., No. 443/3. The Council of Ten … has forbidden all persons disguised to wear arms.

1720.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5845/1. (Berne), April 24 Upon the Death of M. Steiguer, a Senator or Member of the Little Council of this Republick, the Sovereign Council of Two Hundred assembled … to fill up that Vacancy.

1745.  P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 322. The [Dutch] Government of the Cape is administer’d by eight Courts or Councils. 1. The Grand-Council, or College of Policy, which consists of the Governor, and eight of the Company’s principal Officers. Ibid., 324. 7. The Common-Council, (of which there is one in every Colony) is chosen every Year by the Grand-Council.

1777.  Watson, Philip II. (1839), 135. This tribunal [the Duke of Alva’s in the Netherlands] might well be called, as the Flemings termed it, the Council of Blood.

1808.  Edin. Rev., XII. 389. The Council of Ten … had encroached so much on the authority of the Doge.

1827.  Scott, Napoleon, ii. The Council of Ancients had the power of rejecting the propositions laid before them by the Council of Five Hundred.

1836.  Penny Cycl., V. 125/2. The Council of Elders met at six o’clock in the morning of the 18 Brumaire at the Tuileries.

  10.  The local administrative body of a corporate town or city; also (since 1888) of an English ‘administrative’ county or district; more fully described as borough, town, city, county or district council; cf. also Common Council, Select Council (15, below).

  α.  1428.  in Surtees Misc. (1890), 3. Þe Mayr and þe Counsell of þe chambre.

1562.  N. Winȝet, Cert. Tractates (1888), I. iii. 26. To the honorable Prouest, Baillies and Counsall of Edinburgh.

  β.  1474.  Sc. Acts Jas. III. (1597), § 56. In Burrowes … there salbe of the auld Councell of the ȝeir before, foure worthy persones chosen ȝeirly to the new Councell.

1581.  Savile, Tacitus’ Hist., II. lii. (1591), 84. As they were in this perplexity, the councell of Mutina increased their cares.

1851.  Ht. Martineau, Hist. Peace (1877), III. V. iii. 232. The town council is the great ruling body of the borough.

1863.  H. Cox, Instit., III. ix. 730. The members of a Town Council are the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors.

1888.  Local Govt. Act, in Whitaker’s Almanac, 582/1. The original bill … provided for the establishment of district councils subordinate to the new county councils…. A measure will be introduced in 1889 providing for the establishment of district councils. Ibid., 582/2. As to the constitution of the county councils. In each administrative county a council consisting of a chairman, aldermen, and councillors, will be established to be entrusted with the … administrative and financial business of the county. The council will be constituted much like the council of a borough divided into wards. Ibid., 584/2. The mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of each county borough acting by the council, shall be the county council for that borough.

  11.  A body of men associated with the president (or directors) of a society or institution, to consult upon its business and share in its administration; a deliberative and administrative committee. [Latinized as concilium, though properly belonging to L. consilium: in F. conseil.]

[1662.  Charter Roy. Soc. Erit societas de praeside concilio & sodalibus consistens, qui vocabuntur & nuncupabuntur Praeses, Concilium, & Sodales Regalis Societatis Londini, [etc.].]

1682.  Grew, Anat. Plants, Pref. At a Meeting of the Council of the said [Royal] Society the following Order was made, and entred in their Council-Book.

1806.  Med. Jrnl., XV. 291. The Medical Council of the Jennerian Society.

1842.  Rules Philol. Soc. iii. The Council … shall consist of the President, the Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, 1 or 2 Honorary Secretaries, and twenty ordinary Members.

1844–.  Camden Soc. Publications, Pref. note, The Council of the Camden Society desire it to be understood, that, [etc.].

1892.  (title) The Metropolitan Auxiliary Council of the London Missionary Society.

  b.  In University use.

  In the Scottish Universities, the General Council is the great deliberative body consisting of the members of the University Court, the professors, and graduates, corresponding in function to Convocation in the University of London. In the University of Oxford, the Hebdomadal Council is a representative board which consults upon and administers the business of the University, and takes the initiative in all matters to be brought before the Congregation and Convocation.

1854.  Act 17–18 Vict., c. 81 (Oxf. Univ. Act), § 5. Upon the 15th day of the said Michaelmas term 1854, there shall be elected … a council, which shall be called the hebdomadal council. Ibid., § 6. If any person shall be elected a member of the hebdomadal council in two or more classes, he shall, when he first takes his seat in the council, declare under which class he desires to sit.

1873.  Edin. Univ. Cal., 43. The General Council of this University, and the General Council of the University of St. Andrews jointly, return a Member of Parliament.

  12.  In some of the Reformed churches: An advisory assembly of clerical, or clerical and lay, members.

  Congregational council, and National council, advisory or consultatory bodies organized by the Congregationalists in America. So London Nonconformist Council, etc.

  13.  Council and Session (Sc.): see sense 7.

  14.  Council of War. a. An assembly of officers (military or naval) called to consult with the general or commanding officer, usually in a special emergency. Also transf. and fig.

1612–5.  Bp. Hall, Contempl., O. T., XIX. i. They may call a council of war, and lay their heads together.

a. 1671.  Ld. Fairfax, Mem. (1699), 72. We called a Council of war, wherein it was debated, whether we should attempt those in the works.

1855.  Trollope, Warden, xiv. Generals in their councils of war did not consider more deeply.

  fig.  1705.  Vanbrugh, Confed., II. i. What a pretty little pair of amiable persons are there gone to hold a council of war together! Poor birds!

1850.  W. B. Clarke, Wreck of ‘Favorite,’ 220. We then held a ‘council of war,’ in which it was agreed that all should keep as close to the rocks as possible.

  b.  In some foreign countries: A body forming a permanent advisory committee or board on military affairs.

1590.  Sir R. Williams, Briefe Disc. Warre, 17. All these Counsailes of warres both in Spaine and abroad, are expert and principall Captaines.

1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xi. § 1. 33. The General of Achem … assembled his Councel of War, who were all of opinion that the commenced siege was to be continued.

1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 7, ¶ 18. The Emperor [of Austria] … has advanced … Count Henry Thaun to be … a Councellor of the Aulick Council of War.

1838.  Penny Cycl., X. 65/1. [Prince Eugene] returned to Vienna, and was appointed president of the council of war.

  15.  Common Council. a. Without special meaning: = General council; see 1.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 357. At þe commuyn conseil a day seint Gregori a-ros sone, And bad þe pope and is cardinales graunti him ane bone.

a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 5393. All spritis in þis spelonk here speke þai to-gedire, Here is þaire comon consaile.

  b.  The administrative body of a corporate town or city: a town or city council. in England (since the Act of 1835) retained as a title only in the case of London; used in some cities in U.S.

  e.g., in Philadelphia the local authority now consists of the Select Council and Common Council, called together the Councils. The Common Council is mentioned in Penn’s Charter of 25 Oct. 1701; the Select Council, formerly a court of Aldermen, appears in the Consolidation Act of 2 Feb. 1854.

  α.  1467.  Ord. Worcester, in Eng. Gilds, 387. Yf eny of the xlviij persones chosen and named for the comyn counsell of the seid cite, discouere eny maner thing that ys seid at hur comyn counselle.

1486.  in Surtees Misc. (1890), 47. To the … common counesell of the citie of York.

1538.  Starkey, England, I. i. 9. To lyue other vnder a prynce or a commyn counsel in cytes and townys.

  β.  1580.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 42. At the request of Mr. Mayor and his brethren, together with the consent of the Common Council there in the Common Hall assembled.

1682.  Enq. Elect. Sheriffs, 38. Sheriffs of London have been always chosen by the Mayor, Aldermen, Common-Council, and Livery-men.

1712.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5040/7. An act passed at a Court of Common Council held for the City of London.

1810.  Wellington, in Gurw., Desp., V. 403. You see the dash which the Common Council of the city of London have made at me.

1889.  Whitaker’s Alm., 323. Officers of the City of London … Appointed by the Court of Common Council.

  1887.  City Govt. of Philadelphia, 20. The Assembly for the transaction of business was called the Common Council. Ibid., 15, 70, etc.

  † c.  A meeting of such a body. Obs.

1467.  [see b above].

1548.  Hall, Chron., 170. The Mayre on y^e next day … called a common counsaile.

1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 52, ¶ 4. As soon as he came into the Common Council.

  d.  Hence Common councilman: see under COUNCIL-MAN.

  16.  Privy Council: see PRIVY.

  17.  Comb., as council-door, -ground, -seat; council-book, the book in which the acts of a council are registered; the register of privy-councillors; council-day, the day on which a council meets for deliberation; council-fire, a fire kindled by the North American Indians when in council; council-general, a general or common council; council-hall, -room = COUNCIL-CHAMBER. See also COUNCIL-BOARD, -HOUSE, MAN, -TABLE.

1618.  Sir L. Stukeley, Petit., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), III. 390. The publick act registered in the *Council-book.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. (1872), I. 324. Halifax was informed that his services were no longer needed, and his name was struck out of the council-book.

1876.  Bancroft, Hist. U. S., III. xvii. 256. The declaration was projected, executed, and entered in the council-books without any previous notice to Pitt.

1664–5.  Pepys, Diary (1879), III. 121. Very constant he is on *council-days.

1682.  Dryden, Dk. of Guise, V. i. To keep guards doubled at the *council-door.

1775.  G. Johnson, in Sparks, Life Gouv. Morris (1832), I. 42. The Indians … will not sit still and see their *council fire extinguished.

1876.  Bancroft, Hist. U. S., III. x. 935. The Delawares, and the Shawnees, lighted the council-fire, smoked the calumet, and entreated for peace.

1817.  Blackw. Mag., I. 191/1. A report made to the *council-general of hospitals in Paris.

1880.  Augusta T. Drane, St. Catherine of Siena, 537. Let him call a Council-general (Consiglio Generale) of the chief citizens and listen to their advice.

1843.  Marryat, M. Violet, xv. We were … assembled at the *council-ground on the shores of the Buona Ventura.

1682.  Dryden, Dk. of Guise, V. i. The *council-hall was hung with crimson round.

1842.  Bischoff, Woollen Manuf., II. 117. The Duke of Wellington … had proposed that both parties should meet in the *council room, and calmly discuss the question before the ministers.

1725.  Pope, Odyss., VIII. 5. Then to the *council-seat they bend their way.

1837.  Wheelwright, trans. Aristophanes, II. 238. Nor is there any council-seat, for this Is the third day and midst of Ceres’ feasts!