counselor English · revision 39665

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=a1225|origins=la cōnsilium}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈkaʊnsələ(ɹ)/, /ˈkaʊnslə(ɹ)/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|counseiler]], also [[m|enm|counseilour]],^(MED)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|xno|cunseiler]],^(MED)^(Dictionary.com 2016) from [[la|cōnsiliārius|t=adviser]], and [[m|fro|conseilleor]], from [[m|la|cōnsiliātor]];^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010)^(MWU 2024) in Anglo-Norman the noun is recorded from 1121–25.^(AND) Etymonline gives only the second Latin noun, and Merriam-Webster derives it from [[m|la|cōnsilior|t=to counsel]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Both Latin nouns are from [[m|la|cōnsilium|t=consultation, advice]],^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010) the source of [[counsel]].^(Etymonline) Etymonline thinks the double ''-l-'' unetymological, perhaps modelled on [[chancellor]].^(Etymonline) The French word displaced native Middle English words for an adviser, such as [[enm|redere]] and [[m|enm|redyeve]], from [[ang|rǣdġiefa|t=advice-giver]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A person who gives advice: a1225.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) Etymonline dates the word to the mid-13th century, also in the sense "confidant",^(Etymonline) and the Middle English Dictionary's first quotation is from a1275, in a life of Saint Margaret.^(MED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English a counselor could be an adviser or a confidant, a legal adviser, and, in religious texts, the Holy Ghost or one of the names of Christ.^(MED) Johnson (1755) gave the senses "one that gives advice" and "confidant".^(Johnson 1755) The OED records an official adviser of the sovereign, a member of the King's Council.^(OED 1989) The legal sense, a person whose profession is to give legal advice and conduct cases in court, often ''counsellor-at-law'', is recorded from 1531;^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) Etymonline dates it to the 1530s.^(Etymonline) In Scottish, Irish, Yorkshire and Cheshire dialect a counsellor was a barrister, one of the rank of King's or Queen's Counsel.^(Wright 1898) The diplomatic sense, a representative of a state in another country, now a senior diplomat below an ambassador, dates from 1721.^(HTOED)^(MWU 2024) The sense of a trained person who gives guidance on personal or psychological problems is recorded from 1909 in the Historical Thesaurus,^(HTOED) while OED 1989 and Etymonline have it from 1940, Etymonline citing ''marriage counselor''.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) American English also uses the word for a person who looks after children at a summer camp.^(AHD 2024)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a1225 – an adviser.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+ * a1275 – the MED's first quotation.^(MED)

+ * 1531 – a lawyer who conducts cases in court.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+ * 1721 – a diplomatic representative.^(HTOED)

+ * 1909 – a professional who gives guidance on personal problems.^(HTOED)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who gives [[advice]]; an [[adviser]].^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A trained person who helps people with personal, social or psychological problems through [[counseling]].^(Collins 2023)^(AHD 2024)

+ # A member of a school or college staff who advises students on personal, academic and career matters.^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+ # (US) A [[lawyer]], especially one who conducts cases in court; also ''counselor-at-law''.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD 2024)

+ # (US) A person who supervises children at a summer [[camp]].^(AHD 2024)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A senior [[diplomat]] at an [[embassy]], ranking below an ambassador or minister.^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[counselorship]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[counsel]]

+ * [[council]]

+ * [[councilor]]

+ * [[consult]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Counselor'' is the American spelling,^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002) and British English writes ''counsellor''.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002) It is pronounced like [[councilor]], and Dictionary.com lists the two among commonly confused words.^(Wiktionary)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}