Word of the Day

: August 13, 2010

advise

verb ud-VYZE

What It Means

1 : to give advice to : counsel

2 : inform, notify

3 : consult, confer

advise in Context

Betty's doctor advised her to exercise more carefully if she hoped to avoid re-injuring her sprained ankle.

Did You Know?

"Advise" was borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century from Anglo-French "aviser," itself from "avis," meaning "opinion." That "avis" is not to be confused with the Latin word "avis," meaning "bird" (an ancestor of such English words as "avian" and "aviation"). Instead, it results from the Old French phrase "ce m'est a vis" ("that appears to me"), a partial translation of Latin "mihi visum est," "it seemed so to me" or "I decided." We advise you to remember that "advise" is spelled with an "s," whereas the related noun "advice" includes a stealthy "c."