Senate
/ˈsɛn.ət/noun
A legislative or governing council, especially the upper house of a parliament or legislature.
Did you know?The Senate traces back to Latin *senatus*, from *senex* meaning “old man,” because Roman political authority was originally framed as the council of elders.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sen-
“to grow old”
Latin
Latin
senex
“old man; aged person”
Latin
Latin
senatus
“council of elders; Roman Senate”
Old French
Old French
senat
“senate; deliberative council”
Middle English
English
senat
“a governing council or assembly”
Modern English
English
senate
“the upper legislative chamber in some governments”