◙ noun 1. an advisory, deliberative, or administrative body of people formally constituted and meeting regularly • 委员会；理事会 »an official human rights council. 官方人权委员会。 a body of people elected to manage the affairs of a city, county, or other municipal district • （市、县或地方行政区的）政务委员会 [as modifier] [Brit.] denoting housing provided by such a body at a subsidized rent • [英] （租金由政府补贴的）住宅 »a council flat. 市建公寓套间。 an ecclesiastical assembly • （教会的）集会 an assembly or meeting for consultation or advice • 会议 »that evening, she held a family council. 那天晚上，她开了一个家庭会议。
【语源】
1. Old English (in the sense 'ecclesiastical assembly'): from Anglo-Norman French cuncile, from Latin concilium 'convocation, assembly', from con- 'together' + calare 'summon'. --› comparecounsel