[ad.vo.cate] n [ME advocat, fr. MF, fr. L advocatus, fr. pp. of advocare to summon, fr. ad- + vocare to call, fr. voc-, vox voice--more at voice] (14c) 1: one that pleads the cause of another; specif: one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
2: one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
[2]ad.vo.cate vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1599): to plead in favor of syn see support -- ad.vo.ca.tion n -- ad.vo.ca.tive adj -- ad.vo.ca.tor n