n. [ OE. avocat, avocet, OF. avocat, fr. L. advocatus, one summoned or called to another; properly the p. p. of advocare to call to, call to one's aid; ad + vocare to call. See Advowee, Avowee, Vocal. ] 1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the English and American Law, advocate is the same as “counsel, ” “counselor, ” or “barrister.” In the civil and ecclesiastical courts, the term signifies the same as “counsel” at the common law. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Christ, considered as an intercessor. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have an Advocate with the Father. 1 John ii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Faculty of advocates (Scot.), the Scottish bar in Edinburgh. --
Lord advocate (Scot.), the public prosecutor of crimes, and principal crown lawyer. --
Judge advocate. See under Judge. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Advocated p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating ] [ See Advocate, n., Advoke, Avow. ] To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly. [ 1913 Webster ]

To advocate the cause of thy client. Bp. Sanderson (1624). [ 1913 Webster ]

This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To act as advocate. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Office or duty of an advocate. [ 1913 Webster ]