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

Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin KC told the court that Colville, who suffered a broken shoulder and ribs, has not driven since the incident.

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Case workers and solicitors across the courts revealed they were being "overrun" with requests for help.

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He, along with Gloucestershire solicitor Stephen Kinsella, have joined the campaign group Patriotic Millionaires UK, which is calling for a one-off tax on wealth over £10m.

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Appeal court documents confirm that the first time he "confessed" was not recorded and no solicitor was present.

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But the solicitor general said the asylum provision should be clarified.

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Related Words

• barrister 
• counselor