(n) north temperate shrubs or trees having toothed leaves and conelike fruit; bark is used in tanning and dyeing and the wood is rot-resistant, Syn. alder tree

alder blight

(n) a disease of alders caused by the woolly alder aphid (a plant louse)

alder buckthorn

(n) small tree common in Europe, Syn. Rhamnus frangula, alder dogwood

alderfly

(n) dark-colored insect having predaceous aquatic larvae, Syn. alder fly, Sialis lutaria

alderleaf juneberry

(n) shrub or small tree of northwestern North America having fragrant creamy white flowers and small waxy purple-red fruits, Syn. alder-leaved serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia

alderman

(n) a member of a municipal legislative body (as a city council), Example:aldermen usually represent city wards

aldermanic

(adj) of or relating to or like an alderman, Syn. aldermanly

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)

Alder

n. [ OE. aldir, aller, fr. AS. alr, aler, alor, akin to D. els, G. erle, Icel. erlir, erli, Swed. al, Dan. elle, el, L. alnus, and E. elm. ] (Bot.) A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus. The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees. [ 1913 Webster ]

Black alder. (a) A European shrub (Rhamnus frangula); Alder buckthorn. (b) An American species of holly (Ilex verticillata), bearing red berries. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alder fly

. 1. Any of numerous dark-colored neuropterous insects of the genus Sialis or allied genera. They have predaceous aquatic larvæ, which are used for bait. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. (Angling) An artificial fly with brown mottled wings, body of peacock harl, and black legs. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Alder-liefest

a. [ For allerliefest dearest of all. See Lief. ] Most beloved. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alderman

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aldermancy

n. The office of an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aldermanic

a. Relating to, becoming to, or like, an alderman; characteristic of an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aldermanity

n. 1. Aldermen collectively; the body of aldermen. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being an alderman. [ Jocular ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Aldermanlike

a. Like or suited to an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aldermanly

a. Pertaining to, or like, an alderman. “An aldermanly discretion.” Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aldermanly