/ əˈtɜːni; NAmE əˈtɜːrni/ noun
1.
( especially NAmE ) a lawyer, especially one who can act for sb in court
—see also district attorney ➡ note at lawyer
2.
a person who is given the power to act on behalf of another in business or legal matters :
She was made her father's attorney when he became ill.
—see also power of attorney
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French atorne , past participle of atorner assign, from a towards + torner turn.