-penate-

n. [ OE. senat, F. sénat, fr. L. senatus, fr. senex, gen. senis, old, an old man. See Senior, Sir. ] 1. An assembly or council having the highest deliberative and legislative functions. Specifically: (a) (Anc. Rom.) A body of elders appointed or elected from among the nobles of the nation, and having supreme legislative authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

The senate was thus the medium through which all affairs of the whole government had to pass. Dr. W. Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) The upper and less numerous branch of a legislature in various countries, as in France, in the United States, in most of the separate States of the United States, and in some Swiss cantons. (c) In general, a legislative body; a state council; the legislative department of government. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The governing body of the Universities of Cambridge and London. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. In some American colleges, a council of elected students, presided over by the president of the college, to which are referred cases of discipline and matters of general concern affecting the students. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Senate chamber, a room where a senate meets when it transacts business. --
Senate house, a house where a senate meets when it transacts business. [ 1913 Webster ]