Advocate

Ad·vo·cate

Advocate

n.
  1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
  2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
  3. Christ, considered as an intercessor.
    We have an Advocate with the Father.
    — 1 John ii. 1.

Phrases & Compounds

Faculty of advocates
the Scottish bar in Edinburgh.
Lord advocate
the public prosecutor of crimes, and principal crown lawyer.
Judge advocate
See under Judge.

Advocate

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Advocated; p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating

  1. To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
    To advocate the cause of thy client.
    — Bp. Sanderson (1624).
    This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
    Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
    — Mitford.

Advocate

v. i.
  1. To act as advocate. [Obs.]