Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

counsel

 - 8 dictionary results

coun⋅sel

  [koun-suhl] noun, plural -sel for 3, verb, -seled, -sel⋅ing or (especially British) -selled, -sel⋅ling.
Use counsel in a Sentence
–noun
1. advice; opinion or instruction given in directing the judgment or conduct of another.
2. interchange of opinions as to future procedure; consultation; deliberation.
3. Law. (used with a singular or plural verb) the advocate or advocates engaged in the direction of a cause in court; a legal adviser or counselor: Is counsel for the defense present?
4. deliberate purpose; plan; design.
5. Theology. one of the advisory declarations of Christ, considered by some Christians as not universally binding but as given for aid in attaining moral perfection.
6. Archaic. a private or secret opinion or purpose.
7. Obsolete. wisdom; prudence.
–verb (used with object)
8. to give advice to; advise.
9. to urge the adoption of, as a course of action; recommend (a plan, policy, etc.): He counseled patience during the crisis.
–verb (used without object)
10. to give counsel or advice.
11. to get or take counsel or advice.
—Idioms
12. keep one's own counsel, to conceal one's ideas or opinions; keep silent.
13. take counsel, to ask for or exchange advice, ideas, or opinions; deliberate; consult.
Origin:
1175–1225; (n.) ME counseil < AF cunseil, OF conseil < L consilium debate, advice, advisory body, plan, equiv. to consil-, var. s. of consulere to apply for advice (see consult ) + -ium -ium; (v.) < AF cunseiler (OF conseillier) < LL consiliāre, deriv. of consilium

Related forms:
coun⋅sel⋅a⋅ble; especially British, coun⋅sel⋅la⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. recommendation, suggestion. See advice. 3. lawyer, attorney; solicitor, barrister.

Usage note:
See council.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To counsel
coun·sel   (koun'səl)   
n.  

  1. The act of exchanging opinions and ideas; consultation.

  2. Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person. See Synonyms at advice.

  3. A plan of action.

  4. Private, guarded thoughts or opinions: keep one's own counsel.

  5. A lawyer or group of lawyers giving legal advice and especially conducting a case in court.

v.   coun·seled or coun·selled, coun·sel·ing or coun·sel·ling, coun·sels

v.   tr.

  1. To give counsel to; advise. See Synonyms at advise.

  2. To recommend: counseled care in the forthcoming negotiations.

v.   intr.
To give or take advice. See Usage Note at council.

[Middle English counseil, from Old French conseil, from Latin cōnsilium; akin to cōnsulere, to take counsel, consult.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

counsel  (n.)
c.1225, from O.Fr. counseil, from L. consilium "plan, opinion" (see consultation). As a synonym for "lawyer," first attested late 14c. Counseling "giving professional advice on social or psychological problems" dates from 1940.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: 1coun·sel
Pronunciation: 'kaun-s&l
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural counsel
Etymology: Old French conseil advice, from Latin consilium discussion, advice, council, from consulere to consult
: 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 amendment VI> 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
NOTE: A judge who has acted as counsel in a matter (as by advising an investigator) is disqualified from hearing the case.—of counsel 1 : assisting another lawyer in a case of counsel>
2 : employed on a part-time basis of counsel —National Law Journal>

Main Entry: 2counsel
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -seled or -selled; -sel·ing or -sel·ling
: ADVISE
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1coun·sel
Pronunciation: 'kaun(t)-s&l
Function: noun
: advice given especially as a result of consultation

Main Entry: 2counsel
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: coun·seled or coun·selled; coun·sel·ing or coun·sel·ling /-s(&-)li[ng]/
: to advise especially seriously and formally after consultation
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

counsel

see keep one's own counsel.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see counsel on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way