solicitor

[suh-lis-i-ter]

noun

1. a person who solicits.

2. a person whose business it is to solicit business, trade, etc.

3. an officer having charge of the legal business of a city, town, etc.

4. (in England and Wales) a member of that branch of the legal profession whose services consist of advising clients, representing them before the lower courts, and preparing cases for barristers to try in the higher courts.

   Synonyms: counselor, attorney, lawyer

solicitor

/ səˈlɪsɪtə /

noun

1. (in Britain) a lawyer who advises clients on matters of law, draws up legal documents, prepares cases for barristers, etc, and who may represent clients in certain courts Compare barrister

2. (in the US) an officer responsible for the legal affairs of a town, city, etc

3. a person who solicits

Other Word Forms

• solicitorship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitor¹

1375–1425; late Middle English solicitour < Anglo-French; Middle French soliciteur. See solicit, -or ²

Example Sentences

Three generations of Murdaugh men constructed a fortress of political influence as state circuit solicitors, granting them a level of power that allowed them to evade numerous criminal allegations.

Read more on Salon

But as U.S. deputy solicitor general Hashim Mooppan noted, only 15 of Congress’s roughly 60 current black Members represent such districts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Three generations of Murdaugh men served as the circuit solicitor, the South Carolina equivalent of a district attorney, for a region spanning five counties in the state.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Shannon Stevenson, the state’s solicitor general, told the court that the law doesn’t ban healthcare providers from sharing their views outside of the counseling room, or regulate life-coaches or religious ministers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He subsequently sent a solicitor's letter to Gavin requesting his money back, and eventually visited the Dubliner's parents' home to deliver a letter.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• barrister 
• counselor