privy council

noun

1. a board or select body of personal advisers, as of a sovereign.

2. (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.

3. (sometimes initial capital letters),  any similar body, as one appointed to assist the governor of a British dominion.

privy council

¹

noun

1. the council of state of a monarch or noble, esp formerly

2. (in Canada) a ceremonial body of advisers of the governor general, the chief of them being the Federal cabinet ministers

3. archaic,  a private or secret council

Privy Council

²

noun

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• Privy Counsellor noun
• privy councilor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of privy council¹

1250–1300; Middle English prive counseil privy counsel