al|der|man

al|der|man «L duhr muhn», noun, plural -men.

1. (in certain cities of the United States) a member of a council that governs a city. An alderman is usually elected by the voters of a certain ward or district and represents them on the council.

2. (in English and Irish cities and boroughs) a senior elected councilor who ranks next to the mayor in importance: »

The aldermen and councilors followed the Lord Mayor in the procession to the Cathedral.

3. (in Anglo-Saxon times) a chief or lord.

╂[< Old English ealdormann < ealdor elder, chief + mann man]