‖Bun″des‐rath′ (bo͝on″dĕs‐rät′), n. [G., from bund (akin to E. bond) confederacy + rath council, prob. akin to E. read.] The federal council of the German Empire. In the Bundesrath and the Reichstag are vested the legislative functions. The federal council of Switzerland is also so called.
☞ The Bundesrath of the German empire is presided over by a chancellor, and is composed of sixty-two members, who represent the different states of the empire, being appointed for each session by their respective governments.
By this united congress, the highest tribunal of Switzerland, — the Bundesrath — is chosen, and the head of this is a president.
J. P. Peters (Trans. Müller's Pol. Hist.).