Definition of counsel
1a : advice given especially as a result of consultation He was unwise to reject my counsel.b : a policy or plan of action or behavior
2 : deliberation, consultation
3a archaic : purposeb : guarded thoughts or intentions He was chary and given to keeping his own counsel.
4a plural counsel (1) : a lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in court (2) : a lawyer appointed to advise and represent in legal matters an individual client or a corporate and especially a public bodyb : consultant 2
From the M-W Editors
Examples of counsel in a Sentence
We seek counsel from the rich and powerful to learn their secret … —Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Feb. 2004
No matter how much time he is given, counsel would always like more, but the Chief Justice will not grant an extra minute unless the lawyer is responding to a question from the bench. —Robert H. Bork, The Tempting Of America, 1990
God had done a poor job, and Soaphead suspected that he himself could have done better. It was in fact a pity that the Maker had not sought his counsel. —Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, (1970) 1994
Counsel were to be employed. … And when the matter had been decided by the lawyers, Lord Fawn was to express his regret for having suspected his lady-love! —Anthony Trollope, The Eustace Diamonds, 1871
You were unwise to reject my counsel.
The student sought counsel from her teacher.
She is serving as counsel for the defendant.
All counsel are expected to obey the rules of the court.
Origin and Etymology of counsel
Middle English conseil, from Anglo-French cunseil, from Latin consilium, from consulere to consult
Definition of counsel
counseled
orcounselled
;counseling
orcounselling
play \ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ\Examples of counsel in a Sentence
He balked at authority and, according to Mr. Green, tuned you out if you tried to counsel him. —David Grann, New Republic, 14 Feb. 2000
She had six children, whom she counseled and with great wisdom and patience. —Erma Bombeck, The Best of Bombeck, (1965) 1967
I had counselled Catherine to dine upstairs, but as soon as he perceived her vacant seat he sent me to call her. —Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847
He counsels people who are trying to quit drinking.
concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community
Origin and Etymology of counsel
see 1counsel
COUNSEL Defined for English Language Learners
counsel
playDefinition of counsel for English Language Learners
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: advice given to someone
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law : a lawyer who represents a person or group in a court of law
counsel
playDefinition of counsel for English Language Learners
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: to give advice to (someone)
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: to listen to and give support or advice to (someone) especially as a job
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: to suggest or recommend (something)
COUNSEL Defined for Kids
Definition of counsel for Students
1 : advice given My grandfather's counsel was to be patient.
2 plural counsel : a lawyer representing someone in court
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of counsel
: advice given especially as a result of consultation
counsel
Medical Definition of counsel
counseled
orcounselled
;counseling
orcounselling
\-s(ə-)liŋ\play: to advise especially seriously and formally after consultation
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of counsel
counsel
: lawyer: as a : a lawyer participating in the management or trial of a case in court …to have the assistance of counsel for his defense — U.S. Constitution amend. VI a right to counsel b : a lawyer appointed or engaged to advise or represent a client in legal matters (as negotiations or the drafting of documents) — compare attorney
of counsel
1 : assisting another lawyer in a case was attorney of counsel
2 : employed on a part-time basis a tax attorney will move also and become of counsel — National Law Journal
Additional Notes on counsel
A judge who has acted as counsel in a matter (as by advising an investigator) is disqualified from hearing the case.
Origin and Etymology of counsel
Old French conseil advice, from Latin consilium discussion, advice, council, from consulere to consult
counsel
Legal Definition of counsel
counseled
orcounselled
counseling
orcounselling
: advise
Learn More about counsel
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for counsel Spanish Central: Translation of counsel Nglish: Translation of counsel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of counsel for Arabic speakers
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