diminutive of eagle, properly signifying a young eagle. In heraldry, when there are several eagles on the same escutcheon, they are termed eaglets. EARLDERMAN, or Ealdorman, among the Saxons, was of the same import with earl among the Danes. The word was also used for an elder, senator, or statesman; and hence, at this day, we call those functionaries aldermen who are associates to the chief officer in the common council of a city or corporate town.