First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
alderman
noun al·der·man \ˈȯl-dər-mən\
: a member of a city government in the U.S., Canada, and Australia
: a senior member of an English town, county, or borough council who is elected by the other members
Full Definition of ALDERMAN
1
: a person governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for an Anglo-Saxon king
2
a : a magistrate formerly ranking next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or borough b : a high-ranking member of a borough or county council in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members
3
: a member of a city legislative body
— al·der·man·ic \ˌȯl-dər-ˈma-nik\ adjective
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Origin of ALDERMAN
Middle English, from Old English ealdorman, from ealdor parent (from eald old) + man — more at old
ALDERMAN Defined for Kids
alderman
noun al·der·man \ˈȯl-dər-mən\
Definition of ALDERMAN for Kids
: a member of a lawmaking body in a city
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