council of the reich: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Academic, Formal
Quick answer
What does “council of the reich” mean?
A specific governing or advisory body in the historical German Reich, particularly referring to the Reichsrat (Imperial Council) of the German Empire (1871–1918) or the Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic (1919–1933).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific governing or advisory body in the historical German Reich, particularly referring to the Reichsrat (Imperial Council) of the German Empire (1871–1918) or the Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic (1919–1933).
Historically, it can refer to various high-level deliberative or legislative assemblies within the structure of the German state, especially before and during the Weimar period. It is not a term for modern German governance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage, as the term is exclusively historical and academic. Both varieties use the same term.
Connotations
Connotes historical study, political history of Germany, and pre-World War II governance.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, encountered almost exclusively in historical texts or academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “council of the reich” in a Sentence
The Council of the Reich [verb: represented, debated, voted].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “council of the reich” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The law required the measure to be approved by the council of the reich.
- Historians study how the council of the reich was constituted.
American English
- The legislation had to pass the council of the reich.
- The professor explained how the council of the reich functioned.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The council-of-the-reich debates were meticulously recorded.
- He specialised in council-of-the-reich history.
American English
- Council-of-the-Reich authority was defined in the constitution.
- She wrote a paper on council-of-the-reich reform attempts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical and political science texts discussing German institutional history.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used as a precise term in historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “council of the reich”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “council of the reich”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “council of the reich”
- Using it to refer to modern German councils. Capitalising incorrectly (e.g., 'Council of the Reich' is often treated as a proper noun). Mispronouncing 'Reich' as /ri:tʃ/ instead of /raɪk/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Bundesrat is the modern federal council of Germany. The Council of the Reich (Reichsrat) was its historical predecessor, with different composition and powers, and ceased to exist in its original form in 1933-34.
It is pronounced /raɪk/, rhyming with 'like' or 'bike'.
Absolutely not. This is a specific historical term. A modern city council is a 'Stadtrat' or simply 'city council'.
It is key to understanding the federal structure and legislative processes of Germany from 1871 to 1933, illustrating the balance of power between the central government and the constituent states.
A specific governing or advisory body in the historical German Reich, particularly referring to the Reichsrat (Imperial Council) of the German Empire (1871–1918) or the Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic (1919–1933).
Council of the reich is usually historical, academic, formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COUNCIL' for a governing group, 'REICH' for the historical German empire. Together, they form the 'Empire's Council'.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNANCE IS A STRUCTURED BODY (the council as a component part of the state organism).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'Council of the Reich'?