Aldermen

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Alderman \Al"der*man\ ([add]l"d[~e]r*man), n.; pl. {Aldermen}.
     [AS. aldormon, ealdorman; ealdor an elder + man. See {Elder},
     n.]
     1. A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity. [Obs.]
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     Note: The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to
           princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding
           magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying
           superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of
           the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England;
           and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and
           castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective
           districts.
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     3. One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order
        to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may,
        in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and
        administrative functions.
        [1913 Webster]