solicitor

plural solicitors · alternative obsolete solicitour

1. One who solicits
   1. A lawyer offering most legal services to clients apart from representation in court, for which the lawyer typically solicits and instructs a barrister instead, although rights of audience vary by jurisdiction.

      Traditional solicitors are still found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and parts of Australia.

      1 more example

      Stephen Cavendish: I'm not going to say any more until I've spoken to my solicitor. DCI Tom Barnaby: That might be a good idea, sir.

      1999 September 12, Anthony Horowitz et al., “Dead Man's Eleven”, in Midsomer Murders

      Synonyms: transactional attorney

   2. AustraliaCanadaA lawyer now performing both the role of a traditional solicitor and that of a barrister.
   3. USThe chief legal officer of a city, town, or similar jurisdiction in some American states.
   4. A customer, a requester of goods and services, especially johns, the clients of prostitutes.

      […] sex workers are regarded as born to be punished; the solicitors of their services are not.

      2014, K. Stanton, Shakespeare's 'Whores': Erotics, Politics, and Poetics

   5. CanadaUSA door-to-door salesperson, a person soliciting sales by visiting others' houses.

      Did you see the sign that says 'No Solicitors'?

   6. archaicAn agent or proxy in other contexts, especially a petitioner, an intercessor, a go-between.

      1 more example

      “I beg, Mr Allworthy,” answered Sophia, “you will not insist on my reasons;—[…] Your nephew, sir, hath many virtues—he hath great virtues, Mr Allworthy. I question not but he will do you honour in the world, and make you happy.”—“I wish I could make him so, madam,” replied Allworthy; “but that I am convinced is only in your power. It is that conviction which hath made me so earnest a solicitor in his favour.”

      1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones

   7. obsoleteA catalyst, a thing prompting some action or behavior.
   8. obsoleteA tempter, an inciter.
   9. obsoleterareA military recruiter.