AD'VOCATE, n. [L. advocatus, from advoco, to call for, to plead for; of ad and voco, to call. See Vocal.]

1. Advocate, in its primary sense, signifies, one who pleads the cause of another in a court of civil law. Hence,
2. One who pleads the cause of another before any tribunal or judicial court, as a barrister in the English courts. We say, A man is a learned lawyer and an able advocate. In Europe, advocates have different titles, according to their particular duties. Consistorial advocates, in Rome, appear before the Consistory, in opposition to the disposal of benefices. Elective advocates are chosen by a bishop, abbot, or chapter, with license from the prince. Feudal advocates were of a military kind, and to attach them to the church, had grants of land, with power to lead the vassals of the church to war. Fiscal advocates, in ancient Rome, defended causes in which the public revenue was concerned. Juridical advocates became judges, in consequence of their attending causes in the earl's court. Matricular advocates defended the cathedral churches. Military advocates were employed by the church to defend it by arms, when force gave law to Europe. Some advocates were called nominative, from their being nominated by the pope or king; some regular, from their being qualified by a proper course of study. Some were supreme; others, subordinate. Advocate, in the German polity, is a magistrate appointed in the emperor's name to administer justice. Faculty of advocates, in Scotland, is a society of eminent lawyers, who practice in the highest courts, and who are admitted members only upon the severest examination, at three different times. It consists of about two hundred members, and from this body are vacancies on the bench usually supplied. Lord advocate, in Scotland, the principal crown lawyer, or prosecutor of crimes. Judge advocate, in courts martial, a person who manages the prosecution. In English and American courts, advocates are the came as counsel, or counselors. In England, they are of two degrees, barristers and serjeants; the former, being apprentices or learners, cannot, by ancient custom, be admitted serjeants, till of sixteen years standing. – Blackstone. Encyc.
3. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses a cause, by argument; one who is friendly to; as, an advocate for peace, or for the oppressed. In Scripture, Christ is called an advocate for his people. We have an advocate with the Father. – 1 John ii.

To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal; to support or vindicate. Those who advocate a discrimination. – Hamilton's Report on Public Debt. The Duke of York advocated the amendment. – Debates on the Regency in the House of Lords, Dec. 27, 1810. The Earl of Buckingham advocated the original resolution. – Ibid. The idea of a legislature, consisting of a single branch, though advocated by some, was generally reprobated. – Ramsay, Hist. Carolina. How little claim persons, who advocate this sentiment, really possess to be considered Calvinists, will appear from the following quotation. – Mackenzie's Life of Calvin. The most eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. – Mitford. A part only of the body, whose cause he advocates, coincide with him in judgment. – Chris. Obs. xi. 434. Scott.

1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
   
   

   * 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.

2. To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
   
   

   To advocate the cause of thy client.
   Bp. Sanderson (1624).

   This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
   Burke.

   Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
   Mitford.

3. To act as advocate.
   
   
   [Obs.] Fuller.
4. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
5. Christ, considered as an intercessor.
   
   

   We have an Advocate with the Father.
   1 John ii. 1.

   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.