Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Council \Coun"cil\ (koun"s[i^]l), n. [F. concile, fr. L.
   concilium; con- + calare to call, akin to Gr. ??? to call,
   and E. hale, v., haul. Cf. {Conciliate}. This word is often
   confounded with counsel, with which it has no connection.]
   1. An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation,
      deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for
      consultation in a critical case.

   2. A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an
      advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's
      council; a city council.

            An old lord of the council rated me the other day.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.

            Satan . . . void of rest, His potentates to council
            called by night.                      --Milton.

            O great in action and in council wise. --Pope.

   {Aulic council}. See under {Aulic}.

   {Cabinet council}. See under {Cabinet}.

   {City council}, the legislative branch of a city government,
      usually consisting of a board of aldermen and common
      council, but sometimes otherwise constituted.

   {Common council}. See under {Common}.

   {Council board}, {Council table}, the table round which a
      council holds consultation; also, the council itself in
      deliberation.

   {Council chamber}, the room or apartment in which a council
      meets.

   {Council fire}, the ceremonial fire kept burning while the
      Indians hold their councils. [U.S.] --Bartlett.

   {Council of war}, an assembly of officers of high rank,
      called to consult with the commander in chief in regard to
      measures or importance or nesessity.

   {Ecumenical council} (Eccl.), an assembly of prelates or
      divines convened from the whole body of the church to
      regulate matters of doctrine or discipline.

   {Executive council}, a body of men elected as advisers of the
      chief magistrate, whether of a State or the nation. [U.S.]
      

   {Legislative council}, the upper house of a legislature,
      usually called the senate.

   {Privy council}. See under {Privy}. [Eng.]

   Syn: Assembly; meeting; congress; diet; parliament;
        convention; convocation; synod.

Source : WordNet®

executive council
     n : a council that shares the supreme executive power