solicitor

[suh-lis-i-ter]

noun

1. a person who solicits.

2. a person whose business it is to solicit business, trade, etc.

3. an officer having charge of the legal business of a city, town, etc.

4. (in England and Wales) a member of that branch of the legal profession whose services consist of advising clients, representing them before the lower courts, and preparing cases for barristers to try in the higher courts.

   Synonyms: counselor, attorney, lawyer

solicitor

/ səˈlɪsɪtə /

noun

1. (in Britain) a lawyer who advises clients on matters of law, draws up legal documents, prepares cases for barristers, etc, and who may represent clients in certain courts Compare barrister

2. (in the US) an officer responsible for the legal affairs of a town, city, etc

3. a person who solicits

Other Word Forms

• solicitorship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitor¹

1375–1425; late Middle English solicitour < Anglo-French; Middle French soliciteur. See solicit, -or ²

Example Sentences

Before that, an assessment of the defendant's mental health will be carried out, following an application from Mr Bready's solicitor.

From BBC

Now, as U.S. solicitor general, he serves as the federal government’s top advocate before the Supreme Court.

From Salon

In addition, Somani Hotels, the owner of the Bell Hotel, will appeal against the court order blocking the use of the hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers, the company's solicitors said.

From BBC

Before being elected to Holyrood, Balfour worked as a solicitor and Baptist minister.

From BBC

On Tuesday, solicitors for Mr Adams confirmed that donations had been made to causes which include Gaza and the Irish language sector.

From BBC

Related Words

• barrister 
• counselor