counsel

American  

[koun-suhl] / ˈkaʊn səl /

noun

plural

counsel

1. advice; opinion or instruction given in directing the judgment or conduct of another.

   Synonyms:

   suggestion, recommendation

2. interchange of opinions as to future procedure; consultation; deliberation.

3. Law. the advocate or advocates engaged in the direction of a cause in court; a legal adviser or counselor.

   Is counsel for the defense present?

   Synonyms:

   barrister, solicitor, attorney, lawyer

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.

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verb (used with object)

counseled, counseling, counselled, counselling

1. to give advice to; advise.

2. 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)

counseled, counseling, counselled, counselling

1. to give counsel or advice.

2. to get or take counsel or advice.

idioms

1. keep one's own counsel, to conceal one's ideas or opinions; keep silent.

2. take counsel, to ask for or exchange advice, ideas, or opinions; deliberate; consult.

counsel British  

/ ˈkaʊnsəl /

noun

1. advice or guidance on conduct, behaviour, etc

2. discussion, esp on future procedure; consultation

   to take counsel with a friend

3. a person whose advice or guidance is or has been sought

4. a barrister or group of barristers engaged in conducting cases in court and advising on legal matters

   counsel for the prosecution

5. a policy or plan

6. Christianity any of the counsels of perfection or evangelical counsels , namely poverty, chastity, and obedience

7. excellent but unrealizable advice

8. private opinions or plans (esp in the phrase keep one's own counsel )

9. archaic wisdom; prudence

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verb

1. (tr) to give advice or guidance to

2. (tr; often takes a clause as object) to recommend the acceptance of (a plan, idea, etc); urge

3. archaic (intr) to take counsel; consult

counsel More Idioms  

1. see keep one's own counsel.

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Commonly Confused

See council.

See council

Related Words

See advice.

Other Word Forms

• counselable adjective
• counsellable adjective
• precounsel noun
• recounsel verb (used with object)
• uncounseled adjective
• uncounselled adjective
• well-counseled adjective
• well-counselled adjective

Etymology

Origin of counsel

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun counseil, from Anglo-French cunseil, Old French conseil, concile from Latin consilium “debate, advice, advisory body, plan,” equivalent to consil-, variant stem of consulere “to apply for advice” + -ium noun suffix; verb from Anglo-French cunseiler, Old French conseillier, from Late Latin consiliāre, derivative of consilium; consult, -ium

Example Sentences

The first day of the final session will start with counsel for the inquiry, followed on Tuesday afternoon by the Greater Glasgow health board.

From BBC

The Spanish Red Cross has deployed emergency support services to the scene, while also offering counselling to families nearby.

From BBC

“The last time the Chiefs won a Super Bowl, which was a half-century ago, the economy fell immediately into a recession,” Williams counseled.

From MarketWatch

Court records did not note whether he has retained counsel.

From Los Angeles Times

Alison Mitchell, counsel to the inquest, said the scope of the inquest was still being discussed.

From BBC