counsel

[ koun-suhl ]

noun

, plural coun·sel

1. advice; opinion or instruction given in directing the judgment or conduct of another.

   Synonyms: suggestion, recommendation

2. interchange of opinions as to future procedure; consultation; deliberation.
3. Law. (used with a singular or plural verb) the advocate or advocates engaged in the direction of a cause in court; a legal adviser or counselor:

   Is counsel for the defense present?

   Synonyms: barrister, solicitor, attorney, lawyer

4. deliberate purpose; plan; design.
5. Theology. one of the advisory declarations of Christ, considered by some Christians as not universally binding but as given for aid in attaining moral perfection.
6. Archaic. a private or secret opinion or purpose.
7. Obsolete. wisdom; prudence.

verb (used with object)

, coun·seled, coun·sel·ing or (especially British) coun·selled, coun·sel·ling.

1. to give advice to; advise.
2. to urge the adoption of, as a course of action; recommend (a plan, policy, etc.):

   He counseled patience during the crisis.

verb (used without object)

, coun·seled, coun·sel·ing or (especially British) coun·selled, coun·sel·ling.

1. to give counsel or advice.
2. to get or take counsel or advice.

counsel

/ ˈkaʊnsəl /

noun

1. advice or guidance on conduct, behaviour, etc
2. discussion, esp on future procedure; consultation

   to take counsel with a friend

3. a person whose advice or guidance is or has been sought
4. a barrister or group of barristers engaged in conducting cases in court and advising on legal matters

   counsel for the prosecution

5. a policy or plan
6. Christianity any of the counsels of perfection or evangelical counsels , namely poverty, chastity, and obedience
7. counsel of perfection
   excellent but unrealizable advice
8. private opinions or plans (esp in the phrase keep one's own counsel )
9. archaic.
   wisdom; prudence

verb

1. tr to give advice or guidance to
2. tr; often takes a clause as object to recommend the acceptance of (a plan, idea, etc); urge
3. archaic.
   intr to take counsel; consult

Usage

See council

Confusables Note

See council.

Derived Forms

• ˈcounsellable, adjective

Other Words From

• counsel·a·ble especially British, counsel·la·ble adjective
• pre·counsel noun verb precounseled precounseling or (especially British) precounselled precounselling
• re·counsel verb (used with object) recounseled recounseling or (especially British) recounselled recounselling
• un·counseled adjective
• un·counselled adjective
• well-counseled adjective
• well-counselled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of counsel¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun counseil, from Anglo-French cunseil, Old French conseil, concile from Latin consilium “debate, advice, advisory body, plan,” equivalent to consil-, variant stem of consulere “to apply for advice” + -ium noun suffix; verb from Anglo-French cunseiler, Old French conseillier, from Late Latin consiliāre, derivative of consilium; consult, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of counsel¹

C13: from Old French counseil, from Latin consilium deliberating body; related to consul , consult

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. keep one's own counsel, to conceal one's ideas or opinions; keep silent.
2. take counsel, to ask for or exchange advice, ideas, or opinions; deliberate; consult.

More idioms and phrases containing counsel

see keep one's own counsel .

Synonym Study

See advice.

Example Sentences

But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center.

From Los Angeles Times

He was so well-liked by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover that he recommended Cohn to be the lead counsel for Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunt.

From Salon

One of his victims had asked the Bishop of Ely’s safeguarding adviser for counselling.

From BBC

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III found that Russia had intervened on the Trump campaign’s behalf, and that the campaign had welcomed the help, but did not recommend that the Justice Department charge any Americans.

From Los Angeles Times

The inquiry’s own lead counsel asked sardonically whether she was “the unluckiest CEO in history”.

From BBC