senate
/ˈsenɪt/noun
1- any of various legislative or governing bodies, in particular政府立法机关, 尤指：
1.1
- the smaller upper assembly in the US, US states, France, and other countries（美国、美国各州、法国及其他国家的）参议院。
1.2
- the state council of the ancient Roman republic and empire, which shared legislative power with the popular assemblies, administration with the magistrates, and judicial power with the knights古罗马共和国（及罗马帝国）的元老院。
1.3
- the governing body of a university or college（大学或学院的）理事会, 参议会。
词源
Middle English: from Old French senat, from Latin senatus, from senex 'old man'.