attorney
English meaning: Attorney
Definition
A lawyer; one who advises or represents others in legal matters as a profession.
Example
“The defendant's attorney argued that the evidence was unreliable.”
Another example: “She gave her son power of attorney over her finances.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun for a qualified legal professional, used especially in American English, where 'attorney' is the standard word (UK English prefers 'lawyer', 'solicitor' or 'barrister'). Note titles like 'district attorney' and 'attorney general', and the legal term 'power of attorney'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'atorne' (one appointed or constituted), past participle of 'atorner' (to assign), based on Latin 'tornare' (to turn), entering English in the 14th century.
Related Words
- prosecute
- attorneys
- prosecutor
- prosecuted
- counsel
- solicitor
- general
- litigation
- prosecution
- judge
Common Collocations
- district attorney
- defence attorney
- power of attorney
- prosecuting attorney
- attorney general
- hire an attorney
Word Forms
attorney (sing.); attorneys (pl.)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B