counsel
//ˈkaʊn.səl//
Forms
- Plural
- counsels
- present (v1)
- counsel
- 3rd person singular
- counsels
Definitions
1.The exchange of opinions and advice especially in legal issues; consultation.
- All the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, to put him to death.
2.Exercise of judgment; prudence.
- They all confess, therefore, in the working of that first cause, that counsel is used.
3.Advice; guidance.
- It was ill counsel had misled the girl.
4.Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.
- The counsels of the wicked are deceit.
- The counsel of the Lord standeth forever.
1.To give advice, especially professional advice, to (somebody).
- The lawyer counselled his client to remain silent.
- Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals counsel clients.
2.To recommend (a course of action).
- I would counsel prudence in this matter.
- He counseled his daughter to resist the lure of hatred and bitterness.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3777
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English counseil, conseil
From Old French conseil
From Latin cōnsilium, of unknown origin but possibly from either com- + calō (via a phonetic variant of concilium) or cōnsulō.