\Al"der*man\ ([add]l"d[~e]r*man), n.; pl. {Aldermen}.
[AS. aldormon, ealdorman; ealdor an elder + man. See {Elder},
n.]
1. A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity. [Obs.]
Note: The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to
      princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding
      magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying
      superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of
      the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England;
      and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and
      castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective
      districts.
3. One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order
   to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may,
   in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and
   administrative functions.