advocate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To publicly support or recommend a particular idea or course of action.

   The doctor advocated a complete ban on smoking in public places.

2. 2
   noun

   A person who publicly supports or argues for a cause or idea.

   She became a tireless advocate for affordable housing.

3. 3
   noun

   A person who speaks on behalf of someone who cannot speak for themselves.

   With the help of her advocate, she felt confident raising her concerns.

From Middle English advocat, advoket, from Old French advocat, from Latin advocātus (“an advocate”), from the substantivization of the perfect passive participle of advocāre (“to call for”) (see -ate (noun-forming suffix)), from a calque of Ancient Greek παράκλητος (paráklētos) (whence English paraclete). Doublet of advoke, avocat, avouch, and avow. The verb derives from the noun on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix).

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