Councils

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An assembly of individuals selected to provide advice or make decisions about specific issues
2. a group convened for deliberation and governance in various contexts
3. an organized body formed to deliberate and reach agreements on matters of public or communal concern

Etymology: "Councils" is simply the plural of "council," so its story is really the story of the singular. The root idea is consultation: Latin "consulo" meant to consult, seek advice from, or deliberate, and its noun "consilium" meant a plan, intention, or purpose, the product of that deliberation. Old French turned this into "conseil," meaning advice or deliberation, and Middle English borrowed it as "counseil," which could mean a meeting or conference as well as counsel. Over time the word split in two. The sense of advice became "counsel," while "council" narrowed to the group that gives the advice. The spelling change to "council" came later, separating the people from the act of advising, so a council is now a body gathered to deliberate, and its plural names several such bodies at once.

Synonyms: assemblies, committees, boards, panels, conferences