advocate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to speak, plead, or argue in favor of

   The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house.

2. 2
   verb

   to push for something

   I advocate for human rights and an end to slavery worldwide.

3. 3
   noun

   Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.

   I neuer did incense his Maiestie / Against the Duke of Clarence, but haue bin / An earnest aduocate to plead for him.

4. 4
   noun

   A person who speaks in support of something, or someone; proponent

   "I think," replied the young advocate, unwilling to give up a point in which his feelings were interested, "that even you would believe in Walter Maynard's success in life, if you knew him. What has brought the world to its present state, but individual talent?"

5. 5
   noun

   A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.

   Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident.

6. 6
   verb

   To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.

   7 March, 1624, Robert Sanderson, sermon at the Assizes, at Lincoln To advocate the cause of thy client.

7. 7
   verb

   To encourage support for something.

   I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.

8. 8
   verb

   To engage in advocacy.

   We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.

Etymology

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).