COUNSEL

[noun] [U] [formal]I should have listened to my father's wise counsel (= advice), and saved some money instead of spending it all.If only I'd taken counsel from my mother (= followed my mother's advice), I wouldn't be in such difficulties now.(legal) Counsel is one or more of the lawyers taking part in a law case.The judge addressed counsel.Counsel for the defence (= the lawyer giving advice to the accused person) argued convincingly that his client was not guilty.I'd love to know what Anna thinks about things, but she always keeps her own counsel (= does not say what her opinions are).A counsel of despair is advice which accepts that something is too difficult to achieve.It is a counsel of despair to say that the task is too big to tackle.(UK) A counsel of perfection is a piece of advice that is good, but is difficult or impossible to follow.Gardening magazines offer a counsel of perfection on the care of lawns - but most people just mow them when they have time.