counsel English · revision 7164

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1225|origins=la consilium}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkaʊn.səl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English counseil, [[bor|fro|counseil|t=advice, counsel; deliberation]], conseil,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|consilium|t=plan, opinion; consultation; a deliberating body]], from [[m|la|com-|t=together]] and a root variously explained:^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline gives that of [[m|la|calo|alt=calāre|t=to announce, summon]], Hoad a base *sal- as in [[consul]] and [[consult]], and MWU compares Greek helein, to take.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Advice or instruction given: before 1225 in the OED, probably before 1200 in Barnhart, about 1200 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Consultation, mutual exchange of opinions, is from about 1290–1300.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Judgement or prudence is from 1297.^(OED 1989) The verb, to give advice, is from about 1300.^(Etymonline) A body of legal advisers is from the 14th century, and a lawyer who gives legal counsel is attested in the late 14th century;^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) a legal advocate in court is from the 18th century.^(Hoad 1986) ''Keep one's own counsel'', to keep one's plans secret, preserves the sense of a private purpose.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1225 – advice.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1290 – consultation.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – to advise (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – a lawyer.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Advice, especially when given formally.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A lawyer or lawyers conducting a case; a [[barrister]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Consultation or deliberation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To give advice to; to [[advise]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give professional help with personal or psychological problems.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[counselee]]

+ * [[miscounsel]]

+ * [[precounsel]]

+ * [[uncounselled]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[counseling]]

+ * [[counselor]]

+ * [[counsellor]]

+ * [[council]]

+ * [[consult]]

+ * [[consul]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ NODE compares counsel with [[council]], an assembly, from a different Latin word.^(NODE 1998) In the sense ''lawyer'' the plural is unchanged: ''counsel for the defence''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}