I. ˈad-və-kət, -ˌkāt noun
Etymology: Middle English advocat, from Anglo-French, from Latin advocatus, from past participle of advocare to summon, from ad- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice
Date: 14th century
1. : one that pleads the cause of another ; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
2. : one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
3. : one that supports or promotes the interests of another
II. -ˌkāt transitive verb
( -cat·ed ; -cat·ing )
Date: 1599
: to plead in favor of
Synonyms: see support
• ad·vo·ca·tion ˌad-və-ˈkā-shən noun
• ad·vo·ca·tive ˈad-və-ˌkā-tiv adjective
• ad·vo·ca·tor -ˌkā-tər noun