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Entry 5 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Advocate

/ăd'-vək-ət/ · Ad·vo·cate · IPA /əɖvɵˈkeʈ/
01 n. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
  1. 1.
    One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
  2. 2.
    One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
  3. 3.
    Christ, considered as an intercessor.
    “We have an Advocate with the Father.” — 1 John ii. 1.
Phrases & compounds
Faculty of advocates — the Scottish bar in Edinburgh.
Lord advocate — the public prosecutor of crimes, and principal crown lawyer.
Judge advocate — See under Judge.
02 v. t. To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
imp. & p. p. Advocated; p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating
  1. 1.
    To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
    “To advocate the cause of thy client.” — Bp. Sanderson (1624).
    “This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.” — Burke.
    “Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.” — Mitford.
03 v. i. To act as advocate.
  1. 1.
    To act as advocate.[Obs.]