Definitions for: Counsel


[n] direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
[n] a lawyer who pleads cases in court
[v] give advice to



Webster (1913) Definition: Coun"sel (koun"s?l), n. [OE. conc?l, F. conseil, fr.
L. consilium, fr. the root of consulere to consult, of
uncertain origin. Cf. Consult, Consul.]
1. Interchange of opinions; mutual advising; consultation.

All the chief priest and elders of the people took
counsel against Jesus, to put him to death. --Matt.
xxvii. 1.

2. Examination of consequences; exercise of deliberate
judgment; prudence.

They all confess, therefore, in the working of that
first cause, that counsel is used. --Hooker.

3. Result of consultation; advice; instruction.

I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised. --Shak.

It was ill counsel had misled the girl. --Tennyson.

4. Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.

The counsel of the Lord standeth forever. --Ps.
xxxiii. 11.

The counsels of the wicked are deceit. --Prov. xii.
5.

5. A secret opinion or purpose; a private matter.

Thilke lord . . . to whom no counsel may be hid.
--Gower.

6. One who gives advice, especially in legal matters; one
professionally engaged in the trial or management of a
cause in court; also, collectively, the legal advocates
united in the management of a case; as, the defendant has
able counsel.

The King found his counsel as refractory as his
judges. --Macaulay.

Note: The some courts a distinction is observed between the
attorney and the counsel in a cause, the former being
employed in the management iof the more mechanical
parts of the suit, the latter in attending to the
pleadings, managing the cause at the trial, and in
applying the law to the exigencies of the case during
the whole progress of the suit. In other courts the
same person can exercise the powers of each. See
Attorney. --Kent.

In counsel, in secret. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

To keep counsel, or

To keep one's own counsel, to keep one's thoughts,
purposes, etc., undisclosed.

The players can not keep counsel: they 'll tell all.
--Shak.

Syn: Advice; consideration; consultation; purpose; scheme;
opinion.


Coun"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counseled (-s?ld) or
Counselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Counseling or Counselling.]
[OE. conseilen, counseilen, F. conseiller, fr. L. consiliari,
fr. consilium counsel.]
1. To give advice to; to advice, admonish, or instruct, as a
person.

Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you To leave
this place. --Shak.

2. To advise or recommend, as an act or course.

They who counsel war. --Milton.

Thus Belial, with words clothed in reson's garb,
Counseled ignoble ease and peaceful sloth. --Milton.

Synonyms: advise, advocate, counseling, counselling, counsellor, counselor, counselor-at-law, direction, guidance, pleader

See Also: admonish, attorney, career counseling, confidential information, consult, content, contraindicate, deter, discourage, discuss, dissuade, exhort, genetic counseling, guideline, hint, lawyer, lead, marriage counseling, message, misadvise, misadvize, misguide, monish, press, propound, steer, subject matter, substance, talk over, tip, tip off, urge, urge on, warn, wind

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals starting with s