alderman: [OE] Alderman preserves the notion that those who are old (the ‘elders’) are automatically in charge. In Anglo-Saxon England the ealdor was the chief of a family or clan, by virtue of seniority (the word is based on the adjective eald ‘old’). Alderman (Old English ealdorman) was a political title or rank adopted probably in the early 8th century for someone who exercised in society at large an authority equivalent to that of the ealdor.
In effect, this meant that an alderman acted as a sort of viceroy to the king in a particular district. In the 12th century the title became applied to the governor of a guild, and as the guilds gradually took over some functions of local government, an alderman became a senior councillor. The title was officially abolished in Britain in 1974. => old
alderman (n.)
Old English aldormonn (Mercian), ealdormann (West Saxon) "ruler, prince, chief; chief officer of a shire," from aldor, ealder "patriarch" (comparative of ald "old;" see old) + monn, mann "man" (see man (n.)). A relic of the days when the elders were automatically in charge of the clan or tribe, but already in Old English used for king's viceroys, regardless of age. The word yielded in Old English to eorl, and after the Norman Conquest to count (n.). Meaning "headman of a guild" (early 12c.) passed to "magistrate of a city" (c. 1200) as the guilds became identified with municipal government.
双语例句
1. After a full hearing, the alderman gave it as his opinion.
参事先生听了全部报告之后,说出了他的意见.
来自辞典例句
2. Michael Alderman is a mond of among the critics.
迈克尔·奥德曼也是反对者之一.
来自互联网
3. The alderman's son was found guilty of abusing special privileges.
郡长的儿子被判犯有滥用特权之罪.
来自互联网
4. The alderman had hunderds of people at his feet.
数以百计的人都拜倒在这位议员的权势之下.
来自互联网
5. A $ 10 , 000 bond was furnished by an alderman.