Forms: 3–7 as in COUNSELLOR; also 6–7 councellour, -or, 6– councillor. [An alteration of the earlier word counsellor, through assimilation to council. When counsel (F. conseil), in the sense of an advising or deliberative body, came to be spelt council, counsellor (F. conseilleur) in the sense of a member of such a body was conformably spelt councillor.] An official member of a council: a. of the council of state of a sovereign or ruler: cf. PRIVY COUNCILLOR; b. of the council of a colonial government, etc.; c. of a town, city, county or district council, (esp. as distinguished from an alderman).
a. [c. 1340. Cursor M., 3005 (Fairf.). Þe kinge [Abimelech] made him [Abraham] his counsalour priue.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2052. Charlis consailer am y priue.]
c. 1450. Nom., in Wr.-Wülcker, 684/18. (Nomina dignitat.) Hic assecretis, cowncellere.
1511–2. Act 3 Hen. VIII., c. 23 § 5. The Kinges Highnes shall … direct his lettres missyves to twayn of his honourable Counseillours.
1586. Thynne, in Holinshed, Chron., III. 1499/1. For his woorthenesse and merit advanced to the estate of a councillor.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. i. 219. One Gilbert Pecke, his Councellour.
1652. Sir E. Nicholas, in N. Papers (Camden), I. 286. To make Sir Geo. Carteret a counsellor … is not the way to recover the honour of the K.’s council.
1655. Digges, Compl. Ambass., 6. Any of her Ministers or Councellours.
1727. De Foe, Syst. Magic, I. ii. (1840), 57. Wise princes always choose wise councillors.
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 192. Among the imperial councillors, difference of opinion prevailed.
1889. Whitaker’s Almanack, 494. [Officials of the German Embassy in London] Councillor of Embassy … Councillor and Director of the Chancery of the Embassy.
b. 1608. E. Wingfield, Virginia, in Capt. Smith’s Wks., Introd. (Arb.), 76. So much differed the President and the other Councellors in mannaging the government of the Collonye.
1889. Whitaker’s Almanack, 431. Straits Settlements … The Government consists of a Governor, assisted by an Executive Council of 8 members, and a Legislative Council of 8 official and 7 unofficial members … the Resident Councillor of Penang and Malacca having seats in both Councils.
c. 1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 148. Heddes, counseylers and rulers of the sayd cite.
1673. Ray, Journ. Low C., 422. Private quarrels … are usually referred to a Councellour of the Parish.
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., III. 431. Their idea of the … dignity of the civil authority extended to the city councillors.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., III. ix. 730. The members of a Town Council are the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors.
1889. Whitaker’s Almanack, 583/1. (County Councils) County aldermen and county councillors will be eligible for the coronerships.
