Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AD'VO-CATE, 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.