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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Councel(l, Cowncell, n. [e.m.E. and ME. councell, -cel, variants of Counsel n.]

1. A council; esp. the Privy Council, or a town council. 1563 Davidson Answer 212.
The councels and cheif pastours of the Kirk Ib. 243.
The decrete … put in writ be the councell 1593 Acts (1597) § 191.
The Lordes of Councell and session sall na-waies graunt onie suspension or relaxation fra the horne c 1614 Melrose P. 600.
Conforme to the act of cowncell 1646 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 108.
The haill takismen of the mylne, … intimat to the councell that [etc.] 1664 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 677.
According to the Cowncelles ordour, communicated to me by my Lord Chancellour 1686 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 307.
The magistrats and councell of the said brucht 1696 Ann. Banff I. 167.
The Magistrats and Councell ordaines ane act made anent incommers to towne

b. Attrib. with day, hous(e. 1661 Stirling Comm. Good MS. 5.
For mending ane lock of the councell house door 1673 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 286.
In the studies of the laich councell hous a 1686 Turner Mem. 220.
The 8th day of Aprile (which was nixt Councell day) Ib.
After they had perusd them in the Councellhouse

2. Counsel, advice; a counsellor. 1637 Rep. Maxwell Stuart Mun. 4.
I have not delayd ȝour vpcuming out of anie … distrust of ȝour councels 1681 Lauder Observes 38.
For his councell at law he choiced Mr. William Williams