The word "alderman" is spelled with the combination of letters "ald" and "er" followed by the suffix "-man". The phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈɔːldəmən/. The stressed syllable is "al-" and the second syllable "der" is unstressed. The "d" in "ald" is pronounced with a silent "l" sound, which is typical in English spelling. "Alderman" refers to a member of a municipal legislative body in many countries, typically as an elected position.
An alderman is a term that refers to an elected official who serves as a member of a municipal council or governing body. Typically, aldermen are representatives of specific districts or wards within a city or town. The position of an alderman is commonly associated with local government systems in certain countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, aldermen are often part of a city council, with their duties involving legislation, policy-making, and oversight of local affairs. They are responsible for making decisions on various community matters, such as approving budgets, enacting ordinances, and addressing concerns of their constituents. Aldermen may also serve on committees or subcommittees related to specific issues within their jurisdiction.
In the United Kingdom, aldermen are individuals who have been honored for their long-standing service and dedication to their local communities. They are typically appointed and hold honorary positions rather than being elected officials. Although their role is largely ceremonial, aldermen often attend official functions and contribute to ceremonial events.
The term "alderman" has historical roots and dates back to medieval times when it referred to a senior official or magistrate responsible for overseeing a district or ward within a city. Over time, the term has evolved to describe a representative of local government, with varying responsibilities depending on the country and jurisdiction.
A senior or superior; a civic dignitary next in rank to the mayor.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "alderman" derives from the Old English term "aldormann", which is a combination of two elements: "aldor" meaning "old" or "elder" and "mann" meaning "man". In Old English society, aldermen were respected senior men who held an important position as leaders or heads of a community or district. The term gradually evolved in Middle English to refer to a local civic or governmental official, often elected or appointed to a municipal council. The position of alderman has undergone various changes in meaning and function throughout history, but its etymology retains the original sense of a senior or elder person in a position of authority.