privy council

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Word: Privy Council

Definition: The term "privy council" refers to a group of advisors or officials who give advice to a ruler or monarch. In particular, it is often associated with the British monarchy, where this council helps the king or queen make important decisions.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• How to Use: You can use "privy council" when talking about government, monarchy, or historical contexts. It is often used in formal discussions or writings.

Example:

• "The Queen consulted her privy council before making any major changes to the law."

Advanced Usage:

In historical discussions or political science, you might encounter phrases like "acting on the advice of the privy council" or "the decisions of the privy council are binding."

Word Variants:

• Privy Councillor: A member of the privy council.
• Privy Councilorship: The position or role of being a member of the privy council.

Different Meanings:

While "privy council" primarily refers to the advisory group to a monarch, "privy" can also mean being aware of something secret or confidential (e.g., "He was privy to the confidential information.").

Synonyms:

• Advisory council
• Council of state
• Executive council

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "privy council," but you might use phrases like "in the loop" to indicate someone who is informed about important matters, similar to how privy council members are informed.

Summary:

A "privy council" is an important advisory group to a ruler, especially in a monarchy.

Academic

Noun

1. an advisory council to a ruler (especially to the British Crown)