counsel
KOUN-sul
/ˈkaʊn.səl/
Legal representation or advice; the lawyer or lawyers conducting a case.
Can refer both to the legal advice given and to the attorney representing a party.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin consilium, meaning advice or deliberation. In Anglo-French legal tradition, counsel came to designate the trained lawyer appointed to give advice and speak in court.
Word relationships
- attorney: Attorney refers to the individual practitioner; counsel can refer to a single lawyer or an entire legal team.
- advocate: Advocate emphasizes arguing publicly on behalf of a party.
Commonly confused with
- council: Council is a group gathered for policy-making; counsel is legal representation or advice.
- consul: Consul is a diplomatic official living in a foreign city.
Word family
- counselor (noun): A person who gives advice, especially an attorney.
Collocations
- defense counsel
- legal counsel
- retain counsel
Idioms & expressions
- keep one's own counsel (keep thoughts secret)
Example sentences
- "Every defendant has a constitutional right to legal counsel." Constitutional Right
- "The judge asked defense counsel to approach the bench." Courtroom Directive
Memory hook
CounSEL gives advice or acts as a Lawyer. CounCIL is a Committee. Legal advocate or advice = Counsel.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'council' (an administrative or legislative body).
Fun facts
- In legal speech, 'counsel' stays plural or singular without changing form ('Counsel are advised...').
Explore more words
give advice, deliberate, prescribe, adjudicate, deliberative, exhort
Also appears in
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