attorney

American  

[uh-tur-nee] / əˈtɜr ni /

noun

plural

attorneys

1. a lawyer; attorney-at-law.

2. an attorney-in-fact; agent.

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attorney British  

/ əˈtɜːnɪ /

noun

1. a person legally appointed or empowered to act for another

2. a lawyer qualified to represent clients in legal proceedings

3. a solicitor

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Other Word Forms

• attorneyship noun
• subattorney noun
• subattorneyship noun

Etymology

Origin of attorney

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French attourne literally, “(one who is) turned to,” i.e., “(one who is) appointed,” past participle of attourner “to attorn ”

Example Sentences

The announcement comes weeks after the California attorney general opened a civil rights probe into the county’s fire preparations and response, focusing on potential disparities in historically Black west Altadena.

From Los Angeles Times

The five Georgia teens whose teacher died during a fatal practical joke will not be prosecuted in the educator's death, the district attorney has said.

From BBC

“It raises serious alarms about the nature of those deaths and what is really happening at that facility,” said American Civil Liberties Union staff attorney Savannah Kumar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unlike some judges, who may lose patience while grilling attorneys, Eaton is polite to the lawyers appearing before him and speaks with a warmth in his voice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wagner said he has spoken with the Orange County district attorney about reviewing the program and is exploring whether legislation could update or potentially eliminate it.

From Los Angeles Times