advocate

Noun

advocate (plural advocates)

1. Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.

   Synonyms:

   attorney, counselor, abogado, avocat, counsel, latitat, lawman, lawyer, legal representative, limb of the law

2. Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
   • I neuer did incense his Maiestie / Against the Duke of Clarence, but haue bin / An earnest aduocate to plead for him.c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
3. A person who speaks in support of something, or someone; proponent
   • "I think," replied the young advocate, unwilling to give up a point in which his feelings were interested, "that even you would believe in Walter Maynard's success in life, if you knew him. What has brought the world to its present state, but individual talent?"1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter X, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 104
   • He became a tireless advocate for the needs of adults with IMD throughout Britain and internationally.2011 October 9, Alix Lee, The Guardian

   Synonyms:

   exponent

4. A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.
   • Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident.

   Synonyms:

   friend

Verb

IPA/ˈæd.və.keɪt/

advocate (third-person singular simple present advocates, present participle advocating, simple past and past participle advocated)

1. (transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
   • 7 March, 1624, Robert Sanderson, sermon at the Assizes, at Lincoln
     To advocate the cause of thy client.
   • 16 June, 1784, Edmund Burke, speech on reform of representation in the House of Commons
     This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
2. (transitive) To encourage support for something.
   • I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.
   • Those who have advocated the closure of the G.C. have so far failed to say by which alternative route this North-to-West traffic could be carried.1960 December, B. Perren, “The role of the Great Central—present and future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 765
3. (intransitive) To engage in advocacy.
   • We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.
   • And why has no one in the [rail] industry advocated for a universal requirement for face covering (even if it's just a scarf or old tea towel), [...].2020 June 3, Christian Wolmar, “Unworkable policies cripple our beleaguered railway”, in Rail, page 51
4. (Scots law) To appeal from an inferior court to the Court of Session.
5. (Scots law) To call a case before itself for decision.