counsel

plural counsels

1. countableuncountableThe 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.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 27:1

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   Bleſſed is that man that hath not walked in the counſaile of the vngodly: nor ſtand in the waye of ſynners, and hath not ſit in the ſeate of ſkornefull.

   1549 March 7, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Introites, Collectes, Epistles, and Gospels to be Used at the Celebracion of the Lordes Supper & Holy Communion, throughe the Yeare: With Proper Psalmes, and Lessons for Diuers Feastes and Dayes”, in The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, […], London: […] Edowardi Whitchurche […], →OCLC, folio viia, recto

2. countableuncountableExercise of judgment; prudence.

   They all confess, therefore, in the working of that first cause, that counsel is used.

   [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

3. countableuncountableAdvice; guidance.

   It was ill counsel had misled the girl.

   1847, Alfred Tennyson, “(please specify the page number, or |part=Prologue, I to VII, or conclusion)”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC

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   I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised.

   c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

   This Book will make a Travailer of thee, / If by its Counſel thou wilt ruled be; / It will direct thee to the Holy Land, / If thou wilt its Directions understand: / Yea, it will make the ſloathful, active be; / The Blind alſo, delightful things to ſee.

   1678, John Bunyan, “The Author’s Apology for His Book”, in The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC

   Further, he suggested strategies and gave counsel to his superiors at Soochow and Ch'ang-chou. (The Governor-General resided temporarily in Ch'ang-chou after the Taiping capture of Nanking in 1853.)

   1990, Leung Yuen-sang, The Shanghai Taotai: Linkage Man in a Changing Society, 1843-90, University of Hawaii Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 58

   Synonyms: exhortation, suggestion, admonition, advice, consent, exhortation, recommendation, rede

4. countableuncountableDeliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.

   The counsels of the wicked are deceit.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 12:5

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   The counsel of the Lord standeth forever.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 33:11

5. countableuncountableA lawyer, as in King's Counsel (KC) or Queen's Counsel (QC).

   Synonyms: advocate, counselor, abogado, advocate, attorney, avocat, counselor, latitat

present singular third person counsels · US participle present counseling · UK participle present counselling · US participle past counseled · US past counseled · UK participle past counselled · UK past counselled

1. transitiveTo give advice, especially professional advice, to (somebody).

   The lawyer counselled his client to remain silent.

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   Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals counsel clients.

2. transitiveTo recommend (a course of action).

   I would counsel prudence in this matter.

   1 more example

   He counseled his daughter to resist the lure of hatred and bitterness.

   2019, Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys, Fleet, page 10