ALDERMAN

A judicial or administrative magistrate. Originally the word was synonymous with "elder," but. was also used to designate an earl, and even a king. ID English law..A.n a ociate to the chief civil magistrate of a corporate town or city. In American cities, The aldermen a.re generally a legislative body, having limited judicial powers as a body, as in matters of internal police regulation, laying out and repaidng streets, constructing sewers, and the like; though in many cities they hold separate courts, and have magisterial powers to a considerable extent. Bouvier. AL;I> [s. 62]