Advocate

Pronunciation

• Noun:
• enPR: ăd'vÉ™kÉ™t, IPA: /ˈædvÉ™kÉ™t/,
• Verb:
• enPR: ăd'vÉ™kāt, IPA: /ˈædvÉ™keɪt/,

Origin

From Old French avocat, from Latin advocātus, past participle of advocāre ("to call for").

Full definition of advocate

Noun

1. Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel. from 14th c.
2. Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor. from 14th c.
• c. 1591, William Shakespeare, Richard III, First Folio 1623:I neuer did incense his Maiestie
  Against the Duke of Clarence, but haue bin
  An earnest aduocate to plead for him.
3. A person who speaks in support of something. from 18th c.
• 2011, Alix Lee, The Guardian, 9 Oct 2011:He became a tireless advocate for the needs of adults with IMD throughout Britain and internationally.
4. A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.''Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident.

Derived terms

• devil's advocate

Verb

1. (transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
• Bishop Sanderson (1624)To advocate the cause of thy client.
• BurkeThis is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
2. (transitive) To encourage support for something.I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.

Synonyms

Related terms

• advocacy

Anagrams

• avocated