attorney English · revision 3907

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1303|origins=fro atorner}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /əˈtɜː.ni/, US /əˈtɝː.ni/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|aturne]], later atournei,^(Barnhart 1988) [[bor|xno|aturné]], from Old French atorné “(one) appointed”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the past participle of [[m|fro|atorner|t=to decree, assign, appoint]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) literally “to turn to”, from a- “to” and torner “to turn”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) The double t is a mistaken 15th-century attempt to restore a Latin original that did not exist,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) perhaps under the influence of legal Latin attornare.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[attorn]] and [[turn]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One appointed to act for another: early 14th century in Etymonline (mid-13th century in Anglo-Latin)^(Etymonline) and 1303 in the OED and Barnhart, in Mannyng's Handlyng Synne.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In English law a private attorney (''attorney in fact'', 1292) acted for another in business or legal affairs,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) while an attorney at law prepared cases in the common-law courts for a barrister, who pleaded them.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The word became so much a term of contempt in England that the title was abolished by the Judicature Act of 1873 and merged with solicitor.^(Etymonline) Trench noted that it was once used of anyone who acted in another's stead.^(Trench 1859) Johnson is reported as saying he did not care to speak ill of any man behind his back, “but he believed the gentleman was an attorney”.^(Etymonline) In the United States, where barrister is not used, it became the general term.^(Etymonline) ''Attorney general'' is from 1533.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1292 – ''attorney in fact''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1303 – an agent, a deputy.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1330 – an attorney at law.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1533 – ''attorney general''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1873 – the title abolished in England.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person legally appointed to act for another in business or legal matters.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A [[lawyer]] qualified to act for plaintiffs and defendants in legal proceedings.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[attorneyship]]

+ * [[subattorney]]

+ * [[attorney-in-fact]]

+ * [[attorney-at-law]]

+ * [[state attorney]]

+ * [[state's attorney]]

+ * [[attorney general]]

+ * [[district attorney]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[attorn]]

+ * [[turn]]

+ * [[lawyer]]

+ * [[solicitor]]

+ * [[barrister]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In the phrase power of attorney, the word is a separate noun meaning legal agency, from the Old French feminine atornée.^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}