/ ˈkaʊnsl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U , C ]
1.
( formal ) advice, especially given by older people or experts; a piece of advice :
Listen to the counsel of your elders.
In the end, wiser counsels prevailed.
2.
( law ) a lawyer or group of lawyers representing sb in court :
to be represented by counsel
the counsel for the defence / prosecution
defence / prosecuting counsel
The court then heard counsel for the dead woman's father.
—see also king's / queen's counsel ➡ note at lawyer
•
IDIOMS
- a counsel of despair
- a counsel of perfection
- keep your own counsel
■ verb ( -ll- , NAmE -l- )
1.
[ vn ] to listen to and give support or professional advice to sb who needs help :
Therapists were brought in to counsel the bereaved.
2.
( formal ) to advise sb to do sth :
[ vn ]
Most experts counsel caution in such cases.
[ vn to inf ]
He counselled them to give up the plan.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French counseil (noun), conseiller (verb), from Latin consilium consultation, advice, related to consulere take counsel. Compare with council .