advocate English · revision 6383

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340|origins=la voco}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈæd.və.kət/, /ˈæd.və.keɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English avocat, [[bor|fro|avocat|t=barrister, spokesman]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|advocātus|t=one called to aid; a pleader]], the past participle of [[m|la|advoco|alt=advocāre|t=to call to one's aid]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|ad-|t=to]] and [[m|la|voco|alt=vocāre|t=to call]], related to [[m|la|vox|t=voice]] (see [[voice]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The spelling advocat, after Latin, largely replaced avocat after 1380.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One whose profession is to plead cases in court, and one who pleads on behalf of another: 1340, in the ''Ayenbite of Inwyt''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Christ as the intercessor for sinners is an advocate from 1382,^(OED 1989) and a protector or patron of a church from 1387.^(OED 1989) One who publicly supports a cause, as ''an advocate of reform'', is from about 1735.^(OED 1989) In Scotland and some other countries an advocate is a barrister.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) The verb, to plead in favour of, is from 1599–1641,^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1640s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Old English glossed Latin advocatus with þingere.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – a lawyer pleading in court.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – Christ as intercessor.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1599 – the verb.^(MWU 2024)

+ * c. 1735 – a supporter of a cause.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who publicly supports a cause or policy.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who pleads on behalf of another; an [[intercessor]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' A lawyer who argues cases in court; in Scotland, a [[barrister]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To speak in favour of; to recommend publicly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[advocator]]

+ * [[advocation]]

+ * [[advocative]]

+ * [[advocatory]]

+ * [[nonadvocate]]

+ * [[subadvocate]]

+ * [[judge advocate]]

+ * [[devil's advocate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[advocacy]]

+ * [[voice]]

+ * [[vocal]]

+ * [[avocado]]

+ * [[invoke]]

+ * [[provoke]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}