- ad|vo|cate
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–v.t.to speak or write in favor of; recommend publicly (a measure, policy, belief, or theory); support: »
He advocates building more good roads.
SYNONYM(S): urge.╂[< noun]–n.1. a person who speaks in favor; one who pleads or argues publicly for something, such as a proposal, belief, or theory; supporter: »He is an advocate of better school buildings.
SYNONYM(S): champion.2. a person who pleads or speaks for another; intercessor; defender: »The advocates of Charles have very dexterously contrived to conceal…the real nature of this transaction (Macaulay).
3. a lawyer who pleads the cause of anyone in certain courts of law: »Lord Birkett…was one of the great advocates of his age…he was an unsurpassed pleader (Manchester Guardian Weekly).
4. Advocate, Christ (in the Bible, I John 2:1). »Come, thou Advocate and Saviour, Manifest thy wondrous grace (John Wesley).
╂[< Old French avocat, learned borrowing from Latin advocātus, (originally) past participle of advocāre summon < ad- to + vocāre call]Usage Advocate (def. 3) survives as the technical title in courts of certain countries and regions which retain substantial elements of the Roman law, such as Scotland. It is also the title used in the British admiralty courts, and certain special British tribunals, but not in ordinary English law courts, where barrister is used.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
