GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Senate (?), n. [OE. senat, F. sénat, fr. L. senatus, fr. senex, gen. senis, old, an old man. See Senior, Sir.]
   1. An assembly or council having the highest deliberative and legislative functions. Specifically: (a) (Anc. Rom.) A body of elders appointed or elected from among the nobles of the nation, and having supreme legislative authority.
   
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   The senate was thus the medium through which all affairs of the whole government had to pass. Dr. W. Smith.
   
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   (b) The upper and less numerous branch of a legislature in various countries, as in France, in the United States, in most of the separate States of the United States, and in some Swiss cantons. (c) In general, a legislative body; a state council; the legislative department of government.
   
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   2. The governing body of the Universities of Cambridge and London. [Eng.]
   
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   3. In some American colleges, a council of elected students, presided over by the president of the college, to which are referred cases of discipline and matters of general concern affecting the students. [U. S.]
   
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   Senate chamber, a room where a senate meets when it transacts business. -- Senate house, a house where a senate meets when it transacts business.
   
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