1. (n.) An assembly or council having the highest deliberative and legislative functions.

2. (n.) A body of elders appointed or elected from among the nobles of the nation, and having supreme legislative authority.

3. (n.) The upper and less numerous branch of a legislature in various countries, as in France, in the United States, in most of the separate States of the United States, and in some Swiss cantons.

4. (n.) In general, a legislative body; a state council; the legislative department of government.

5. (n.) The governing body of the Universities of Cambridge and London.

6. (n.) In some American colleges, a council of elected students, presided over by the president of the college, to which are referred cases of discipline and matters of general concern affecting the students.

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