sanhedrim

noun Jewish History.

1. Also called Great Sanhedrin. the highest council of the ancient Jews, consisting of 71 members, and exercising authority from about the 2nd century b.c.
2. Also called Lesser Sanhedrin. a lower tribunal of this period, consisting of 23 members.

noun Judaism

1. the supreme judicial, ecclesiastical, and administrative council of the Jews in New Testament times, having 71 members
2. a similar tribunal of 23 members having less important functions and authority

n.1580s, from Late Hebrew sanhedrin (gedola) “(great) council,” from Greek synedrion “assembly, council,” literally “sitting together,” from syn- “together” (see syn-) + hedra “seat” (see cathedral). Abolished at the destruction of Jerusalem, C.E. 70. The proper form is sanhedrin; the error began as a false correction when the Greek word was taken into Mishanic Hebrew, where -in is a form of the plural suffix of which -im is the more exact form. n.see sanhedrim.