from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Advocate \Ad"vo*cate\, n. [OE. avocat, avocet, OF. avocat, fr.
L. advocatus, one summoned or called to another; properly the
p. p. of advocare to call to, call to one's aid; ad + vocare
to call. See {Advowee}, {Avowee}, {Vocal}.]
1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who
pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial
court; a counselor.
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Note: In the English and American Law, advocate is the same
as "counsel," "counselor," or "barrister." In the civil
and ecclesiastical courts, the term signifies the same
as "counsel" at the common law.
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2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by
argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an
advocate of truth.
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3. Christ, considered as an intercessor.
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We have an Advocate with the Father. --1 John ii.
1.
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{Faculty of advocates} (Scot.), the Scottish bar in
Edinburgh.
{Lord advocate} (Scot.), the public prosecutor of crimes, and
principal crown lawyer.
{Judge advocate}. See under {Judge}.
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