Privy COUNCIL, the primum mobile of the civil government of Great Britain, bearing part of that great weight in the government which otherwise would be too heavy upon the king.
It is composed of eminent persons, the number of whom is at the sovereign's pleasure, who are bound by oath to advise the king to the best of their judgment, with all the fidelity and secrecy that becomes their station. The king may declare to, or conceal from, his privy-council whatever he thinks fit; and has a select council out of their number, commonly called the cabinet council, with whom his majesty determines such matters as are most important, and requires the utmost secrecy.
Privy-counsellors, though but gentlemen, have precedence of all the knights and younger sons of barons and viscounts, and are styled right honourable.