senate
pronunciation
How to pronounce senate in British English:
UK [ˈsenət]
How to pronounce senate in American English:
US [ˈsenət]
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- Noun:
- assembly possessing high legislative powers
Word Origin
- senate
- senate: [13] The Roman senate was etymologically an assembly of ‘elders’. Latin senātus was a derivative of senex ‘old’, which has also given English senile, senior, sir, etc. English acquired the word via Old French senat. Senator [13] comes from the Latin derivative senātor.=> senile, senior, sir
- senate (n.)
- c. 1200, "legal and administrative body of ancient Rome," from Old French senat or Latin senatus "highest council of the state in ancient Rome," literally "council of elders," from senex (genitive senis) "old man, old" (see senile). Attested from late 14c. in reference to governing bodies of free cities in Europe; of national governing bodies from 1550s; specific sense of upper house of U.S. legislature is recorded from 1775.
Example
- 1. The senate is expected to pass the bill wednesday .
- 2. Tell the senate you will maintain its traditional power and privileges .
- 3. The senate did their part .
- 4. The senate may also prove problematic .
- 5. Is today 's senate any better ?