A senior member of a municipal council or governing body, traditionally elected to represent a specific ward or district. Aldermen historically served as advisors to mayors and held significant authority over local affairs.
From Old English 'ealdormann,' literally meaning 'elder man' or 'senior man,' combining 'ealdor' (elder) and 'mann' (man). The term originally referred to Anglo-Saxon nobles who governed shires, later evolving to describe urban municipal officials.
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