Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Parliament
Par′lia-ment
,Noun.
1.
A parleying; a discussion; a conference.
[Obs.]
But first they held their
parliament
. Rom. of R.
2.
A formal conference on public affairs; a general council;
esp.,
an assembly of representatives of a nation or people having authority to make laws.
They made request that it might be lawful for them to summon a
parliament
of Gauls. Golding.
3.
The assembly of the three estates of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, viz., the lords spiritual, lords temporal, and the representatives of the commons, sitting in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, constituting the legislature, when summoned by the royal authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to enact and repeal laws.
☞ Thought the sovereign is a constituting branch of Parliament, the word is generally used to denote the three estates named above.
4.
In France, before the Revolution of 1789, one of the several principal judicial courts.
Parliament heel
, the inclination of a ship when made to careen by shifting her cargo or ballast.
– Parliament hinge
(Arch.)
, a hinge with so great a projection from the wall or frame as to allow a door or shutter to swing back flat against the wall.
– Long Parliament
, Rump Parliament
Webster 1828 Edition
Parliament
P`ARLIAMENT
,Noun.
1.
In Great Britain, the grand assembly of the three estates, the lords spiritual, lords temporal, and the commons; the general council of the nation constituting the legislature, summoned by the king's authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to enact and repeal laws. Primarily, the king may be considered as a constituent branch of parliament; but the word is generally used to denote the three estates above named, consisting of two distinct branches, the house of lords and house of commons.The word parliament was introduced into England under the Norman kings. The supreme council of the nation was called under the Saxon kings, wittenage-mote, the meeting of wise men or sages.
2.
The supreme council of Sweden, consisting of four estates; the nobility and representatives of the gentry; the clergy, one of which body is elected from every rural deanery of ten parishes; the burghers, elected by the magistrates and council of every corporation; and the peasants, elected by persons of their own order.3.
In France, before the revolution, a council or court consisting of certain noblemen.