a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination.
Also called promoter of the faith.Roman Catholic Church. an official appointed to present arguments against a proposed beatification or canonization of a beatus.
Origin of devil's advocate
1750–60; translation of New Latinadvocātus diabolī
British Dictionary definitions for devil's advocate
devil's advocate
noun
a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular view, often for the sake of argument
RC Churchthe official appointed to put the case against the beatification or canonization of a candidateTechnical name: promotor fidei (prəʊˈməʊtɔː fɪˈdeɪiː)
1760, translating Latin advocatus diaboli, one whose job it is to urge against the canonization of a candidate for sainthood. "[F]ar from being the whitewasher of the wicked, the [devil's advocate] is the blackener of the good." [Fowler]
One who argues against a cause or position either for the sake of argument or to help determine its validity. For example, My role in the campaign is to play devil's advocate to each new policy before it's introduced to the public. This term comes from the Roman Catholic Church, where advocatus diaboli (Latin for “devil's advocate”) signifies an official who is appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification. It was transferred to wider use in the mid-1700s.
