council of ancients

1 definition found

council of ancients - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Ancient \An"cient\, n.
     1. pl. Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the
        moderns.
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     2. An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a
        person of influence.
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              The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients
              of his people, and the princes thereof. --Isa. iii.
                                                    14.
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     3. A senior; an elder; a predecessor. [Obs.]
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              Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . .
              were his ancients.                    --Hooker.
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     4. pl. (Eng. Law) One of the senior members of the Inns of
        Court or of Chancery.
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     Council of Ancients (French Hist.), one of the two
        assemblies composing the legislative bodies in 1795.
        --Brande.
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