privy council
noun
a board or select body of personal advisers, as of a sovereign.
(initial capital letters)
(in Great Britain) a body of persons who advise the sovereign in matters of state, the majority of members being selected by the prime minister.
(sometimes initial capital letters)
any similar body, as one appointed to assist the governor of a British dominion.
Origin of privy council
1250–1300; Middle English
prive counseil privy counsel
OTHER WORDS FROM privy council
privy councilor, nounWords nearby privy council
privily,
privity,
privy,
privy chamber,
privy coat,
privy council,
privy purse,
privy seal,
prix fixe,
prix goncourt,
prize
Example sentences from the Web for privy council
British Dictionary definitions for privy council (1 of 2)
privy council
noun
the council of state of a monarch or noble, esp formerly
(in Canada) a ceremonial body of advisers of the governor general, the chief of them being the Federal cabinet ministers
archaic
a private or secret council
British Dictionary definitions for privy council (2 of 2)
Privy Council
noun
the private council of the British sovereign, consisting of all current and former ministers of the Crown and other distinguished subjects, all of whom are appointed for life
See also Judicial Committee of the Privy Council