an assembly of persons summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice.

a body of persons specially designated or selected to act in an advisory, administrative, or legislative capacity

the governor's council on housing.

(in certain British colonies or dependencies) an executive or legislative body assisting the governor.

an ecclesiastical assembly for deciding matters of doctrine or discipline.

New Testament . the Sanhedrin or other authoritative body.

noun

assembly , board , body , brain trust * , cabinet , chamber , clan , committee , conclave , confab , conference , congregation , congress , convention , convocation , diet , directorate , gang , gathering , governing body , groupthink , huddle * , kitchen cabinet * , meet , ministry , mob , official family , outfit , panel , parliament , powwow * , ring , senate , synodnotes:counsel is \'advice , guidance\' and a counsel is a lawyer; a council is a deliberative body of people assembled for some purpose and members are councillors (especially in britain) , aldermen , cabal , camarilla , consistory , deliberation , discussion , divan , federation , junta , junto , meeting , privy council , quorum , synod