Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Alderman
Al′der-man
(a̤l′dẽr-man)
, Noun.
pl.
Aldermen
. 1.
A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity.
[Obs.]
☞ 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.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Alderman
ALD'ERMAN
,Noun.
plu.
1.
Among our Saxon ancestors, a senior or superior. The title was applied 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.2.
In present usage, a magistrate or officer of a town corporate, next in rank below the mayor. The number of aldermen is different in different cities. In London the number is twenty-six, one in each ward, and the office is held for life.In the United States, the number of aldermen depends on the charters of incorporation. In general, aldermen have the powers of a justice of the peace, and with the mayor, they constitute the court of the corporation. In most of our cities, they are annually elected by the citizens.
Definition 2024
Alderman
alderman
alderman
See also: Alderman
English
Noun
alderman (plural aldermen)
- A member of a municipal legislative body in a city or town.
- (Britain, historical, obsolete slang) A half-crown coin; its value, 30 pence.
- (archaic, slang) A roasted turkey. Only used in alderman in chains and alderman hung in chains.
Translations
member of a municipal legislative body in a city or town
Synonyms
- baillie (Scotland)
See also
Old Frisian
Alternative forms
- aldermon
- aldirmon
Noun
alderman m
Declension
Declension of alderman (strong consonant stem, masculine)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | alderman | aldermen |
| accusative | alderman | aldermen |
| genitive | aldermannes | aldermanna |
| dative | aldermanne | aldermannum, aldermannem |
Descendants
- West Frisian: âlderman