counseln.
/ˈkaʊnsɪl/ I. Consultation, advice, and related uses.† 5. † b. A matter of confidence or secrecy; a secret; a confidence. Obsolete (except as in 5d).† c. in counsel: in private, in confidence. Obsolete.† 6. of counsel with or for (a person), in, with or to (an act, etc.): in the counsels, confidence, or secrets of; one of the advisers of (a person); privy to (an act). Obsolete.
1. † b. Conference, conversation. Obsolete. rare.
a. Interchange of opinions on a matter of procedure; consultation, deliberation. to take counsel: to consult, deliberate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > conferring or consulting
aughteOE
redeOE
somrunec1275
speakingc1275
counselc1290
deliberationc1405
advisement1414
commoninga1425
communingc1425
imparlement1450
imparling1450
parleyc1490
parleying1508
counselment1523
parling1527
counsellinga1533
practice1540
interview1541
consultation1548
parliance1553
conference1555
enterparling1557
consult1560
imparlee1565
parlance1577
imparlance1579
parliamenting1582
deliberative1590
converse1614
parliamentation1622
powwowing1642
consulting1823
powwowism1873
the mind > language > speech > conversation > converse [verb (intransitive)] > confer, consult, or deliberate
roundc1275
to speak togetherc1275
to take counselc1290
counsel1297
treat1297
advisea1393
communea1393
to take deliberationc1405
common1416
to put (also bring, lay, set, etc.) their (also our, your) heads togetherc1425
janglec1440
bespeak1489
parliamenta1492
intercommonc1540
confer1545
parle1558
consult1565
imparl1572
break parle1594
handle1596
emparley1600
to confer notes1650
to compare notes1709
powwow1780
to get together1816
palaver1877
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 59/202 A-mong þis Cardinales counseil þere was i-nome.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xii. 2 How lange sall I sett counsails in my hert of diuerse thynges.
1480 Cronicles Eng. (Caxton) cxcvii. sig. l8 The barons..token counceill bitwene hem.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin x. 141 After mete Arthur and Merlin went to-geder to counseile.
1539 Bible (Great) John xi. 53 Then from that daye forth they toke counsell together, for to put him to deeth.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 258 There were great counsayles betwene the King and Jaques Dartuell on the one parte, and the Counsayles of the good townes of the other part.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. iii. 11 I hould as little counsell with weake feare, As you. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Job xxxviii. 2 Who is this that darkneth counsell by words without knowledge? View more context for this quotation
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes i. 9 No time..for that Counsel and Consideration which is requisite.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc viii. 576 Time was not for long counsel.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 10 There are,..eras of counsel, and eras of execution.
1876 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxxvii, in Monthly Packet June 510 He found old Lefévre, and took much counsel with him.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xxxvi. 359 She took counsel with witches and magicians.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun]
speechc900
talec1000
speaka1300
reasonc1300
speakinga1325
counsela1350
intercommuningc1374
dalliancec1400
communication1419
communancec1449
collocutiona1464
parlour?c1475
sermocination1514
commona1529
dialogue?1533
interlocutiona1534
discourse1545
discoursing1550
conference1565
purposea1572
talk1572
interspeech1579
conversationa1586
devising1586
intercourse1596
intercommunication1603
eclogue1604
commercing1610
communion1614
negocea1617
alloquy1623
confariation1652
gob1681
gab1761
commune1814
colloquy1817
conversing1884
cross-talk1887
bull session1920
rap1957
a1350 Leben Jesu (Horstmann) 79 (Mätz.) Nuste no man ȝwat it was, þat conseil longe ilaste.
a1350 Leben Jesu (Horstmann) 340 (Mätz.) Þa comen þe apostles, and þouȝten wonder þat he wolde suych conseil drawe Mid a womman þat sunfol was.
2.
a. Opinion as to what ought to be done given as the result of consultation; aid or instruction for directing the judgement; advice, direction.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > [noun]
redeOE
rathec1175
counsel?c1225
governaila1382
advicec1390
advisement1409
visingc1480
vicea1500
manuduction1502
recommending1575
recommendation1585
aread1590
paraenesis1593
consult1654
guidant1691
advisal1765
shauri1874
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > [noun] > counsel or consultation
redeOE
counsel?c1225
advisement1414
counselment1523
consultation1548
consult1560
advice1621
consulting1823
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 58 Ne naske ȝe of cunseil.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 111/169 Heo ȝaf him conseil þane wei to gon.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 315 Triste we to god þat he wole ȝiue us concel in þis.
c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus ⁋207 Taak no conseil of a fool.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. x The kyng asked counceil at hem al.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xl. 63 Withoute takyng ony counceylle of her husbond.
1542 A. Borde Compend. Regyment Helth Pref. sig. A.iv Wt out the counceyl [1547 counsell] of mayster doctour Butte.
1579 S. Gosson Apol. Schoole of Abuse in Ephemerides Phialo f. 87v If plaiers take a little more counsell of their pillowe, they shall finde them selues to be the worste..people in the world.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxv. 132 Counsell, is where a man saith, Doe, or Doe not this, and deduceth his reasons from the benefit that arriveth by it to him to whom he saith it.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 185. ⁋1 The counsels of philosophy and the injunctions of religion.
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. I. vi. 142 Both princes..hearkened the more willingly to the councils of Anselm.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. 487 The failure of the more moderate counsels for which his own had been set aside.
b. spec. in Theology. One of the advisory declarations of Christ and the apostles, in medieval theology reckoned as twelve, which are considered not to be universally binding, but to be given as a means of attaining greater moral perfection; so counsel of perfection, esp. in reference to Matthew xix. 21; also transferred; evangelical counsels, the three obligations of voluntary poverty, chastity, and obedience to a religious superior (see quot. 1875).
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > biblical events > [noun] > discourse > on perfection
counselc1380
society > faith > worship > sacrament > order > ordination > [noun] > vows taken during
evangelical counsels1875
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 2 Ȝif men wolen..kepe þe counseilis of Crist, loke þat þei croken not from him.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 139 By the nombre of xxii. ys vnderstonde the x commaundementes and the xii counsaylles of the gospell.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 140 The commaundementes of oure lorde that all must kepe that wyll be saued..the counsayles that longe to relygyous & to folke of perfeccyon.
1577 T. Vautrollier tr. M. Luther Comm. Epist. to Galathians (new ed.) f. 85 (margin) The Papistes diuide the gospell into precepts and counsels. To the preceptes men are bound (say they), but not to the counsels.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Exhort. §8 Although some men did acts of Counsel in order to attain that perfection which in Jesus was essential and unalterable.
a1678 H. Scougal Life of God (1726) 169 We must not look upon this..as a counsel of perfection, highly commendable, but not absolutely necessary to salvation.
1863 J. Keble Life T. Wilson: Pt. I xii. 405 This..which the tenor of her life may justify us in calling no extravagance of pietism, but a real counsel of perfection.
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost xii. 330 But the life of counsels—that is the life of poverty, the life of chastity, the life of obedience, which is the life of the priesthood, and the life of those who enter convents.
1885 W. E. Addis & T. Arnold Catholic Dict. (ed. 3) 325/1 The high estimation in which the Fathers held the evangelical counsels.
1886 Ld. Selborne Def. Church Eng. iii. xvii. §3. 297 A tendency..to elevate counsels of perfection into laws of bondage.
1909 A. Bennett Lit. Taste 87 Every Englishman who is interested in any branch of his native literature, and who respects himself, ought to own a comprehensive and inclusive library of English literature, in comely and adequate editions. You may suppose that this counsel is a counsel of perfection. It is not.
1938 W. S. Maugham Summing Up xlviii. 186 Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul. This is a counsel of perfection.
c. counsel of despair.
ΚΠ
1910 G. B. Shaw Let. to Granville Barker Jan. (1956) 162 It is only the 4th Jan, too soon for counsels of despair.
1929 R. Bridges Test. Beauty ii. 229 All Utopias Are castles in the air or counsels of despair.
3. The faculty of counselling or advising; judgement; prudence; sagacity in the devising of plans. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > [noun]
redeOE
counsel1297
discretion1340
prudence1340
redinessc1425
prudencya1456
discreetness1530
canniness1638
judiciousness1644
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 412 He was queynte of conseyl & speche, & of body strong.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xi. 2 And ther shal resten vp on hym the Spirit of the Lord..spirit of counseil and of strengthe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29205 Þe gift o wijt, of vnder-standing, O consail.
c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 367 Tho by-spake a worthy man of counsaile, An Erille of the Senatouris.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 457 Laulie and meik and of consall rycht gude.
1611 Bible (King James) Job xii. 13 With him is wisedome & strength, he hath counsell and vnderstanding. View more context for this quotation
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme ii. i. 44 Things are so framed that they naturally imply a principle of Wisdome and Counsell in the Authour of them.
4. That in which deliberation results; resolution, purpose, intention; plan, design, scheme.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > planning > [noun] > a plan > as the result of deliberation
redeOE
counsel1297
advicec1425
advisement1535
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 371 Hii..were alle at conseyl to worry Engelond.
1382 J. Wyclif Psalms xxxii[i]. 11 The counseill forsothe of the Lord withoute ende abit.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xiv. 202 He ne kowde no counseile how he myght his londe deffende.
1534 Bible (Tyndale rev. Joye) Acts ii. 23 Delivered by the determinat counsell and foreknoweledge of God.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. 5 His prouidence and consailles unscrutable.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. vii. xx. 262 Would any man impute it rather to deliberate counsell, than to some fit of heat and follie?
1680 Bp. G. Burnet Some Passages Life Rochester (1692) 84 We who cannot fathom the secrets of the Councel of God.
1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iii. §15. 55 The secret counsels of the Infinite Mind.
a. A private or secret purpose, design, or opinion. Obsolete (except as in 5d).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > personal opinion > [noun]
thinkinga1382
counsela1400
conceitc1405
private judgement1565
concept1566
self-conceit1596
lights1598
private1599
self-conception1648
phenomenon1677
two cents' worth1942
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [noun] > something concealed, a secret > aim, plan
privityc1300
covina1375
counsela1400
privitatec1550
dessous des cartes1756
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3161 His consail will he naman tell.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 683 How myȝt I hyde myn hert fro Habraham þe trwe, Þat I ne dyscouered to his corse my counsayle so dere.
1473 J. Warkworth Chron. 9 There cownselle was dyscoverede.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 776 Many thought that thys Duke was priuie to all the Protectors counsayle.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. ii. 2 They of Rome are entred in our Counsailes, And know how we proceede. View more context for this quotation
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 229 By diligent watchfulness discover their [Enemies'] approaches or counsels.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [noun] > something concealed, a secret
derna1000
counsel1377
secrec1386
dernheada1400
secretnessc1425
secrecyc1450
secret1450
concealment1598
reservation1612
cabal1631
recess1646
occult1648
reserve1680
state secret1822
reserving1844
inédit1910
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [noun] > private matter or business
counsel1377
secrec1386
secret1450
chamber counsela1616
privatea1616
particulara1617
privacya1625
confidence1748
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xix. 157 Þat þat wommen witeth may nouȝte wel be conseille!
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2784 To sayn soþ of þy make, Hit ne may beo no consail þe Sarazyns him habbeþ itake.
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 110 But natheles hir thoughte that sche dyde, That sche so long a counseil scholde hyde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 27886 Drunkenhede..dos man consail [a1425 Galba kounsail] to be tald.
c1450 Crt. of Love 722 But this is counsaile, keepe it secretly, (Quod she).
c1460 Play Sacram. 522 Charge yow euerychoon That yt be conselle that we haue doon.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 208/1 Counsell, secret.
1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine iii. i. sig. F3 Nay it is no councell, You may pertake it Gentlemen.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adverb] > in confidence
in counselc1400
entre nous1691
confidentiallya1834
just quietly1937
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xii. 137 He leet voyden out of his chambre all maner of men..for he wolde speke with me in conseill.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. i Thenne sir Agrauayne sayd thus openly and not in no counceylle.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job iv. 12 There is spoken unto me a thynge in councell.
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor i. i. 110 Shal. Well, the Councell shall know it. Fal. Twere better for you twere knowne in counsell, Youle be laught at.
1638 J. Ford Fancies i. 14 A pastime smil'd at Amongst your selves in counsaile, but beware Of being over-heard.
d. †to keep or hold (a matter) counsel (later in counsel): to keep it secret (obsolete). to keep (†hold) counsel: to observe secrecy (archaic and dialect). to keep any one's counsel: to keep a secret which he has committed to one (archaic or obsolete). to keep one's (own) counsel: to keep one's own secret, be reticent about one's intentions or opinions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep quiet about [phrase]
to keep or hold (a matter) counsel (later in counsela1400
to keep secret1399
to keep (something) dark1532
to draw a veil over1582
not to tell one's shirt1586
to keep one's (own) counsel1604
to put (also keep) in one's pocketa1616
to name no names1692
to make a secret of1738
to keep (‥) snug1778
to clap, put, or keep the thumb on1825
to wash one's dirty linen at home, in public1867
to hold back1956
to sweep (also brush, kick, etc.) (something) under the rug1956
to get it off one's chest1961
to sweep (or push) (something) under the carpet1963
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 27411 Þe sin þat said es to þe preist He hald it consail euer in breist.
c1450 Erle Tolous 582 Madam, your trowthe ys plyght, To holde counsayle, bothe day and nyght.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur viii. xxxviii He kepeth it no counceil but that he is a knyghte of Kynge Arthurs.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xii. v Kepe hit in counceylle and let noo man knowe hit in the world.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. ii. 27 It is comyn prouerbe that women can kepe no counceyle.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 16 This may not be kepte counseill.
1555 J. Heywood Two Hundred Epigrammes with Thyrde sig. D.viii Three may kepe councell [1546 a counsell] if twayne be away.
a1563 J. Bale King Johan (1969) i. 666 Kepe yt covnsell: dane Davy Dyssymulacyon.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Aristotle in Panoplie Epist. 217 Women and children keepe that in counsel whereof they are ignorant.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. ii. 10 Doe not beleeue it..That I can keepe your counsaile & not mine owne.
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. viii. 17 Consult not with a foole; for he cannot keepe counsell . View more context for this quotation
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. D4 We..have kept all your councels ever since we have been Infant Playfellows.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 12. ¶1 I am the best Man in the World to keep my own Counsel.
1757 S. Foote Author i. 9 Don't be afraid; I'll keep Council.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I lxviii. 37 I'm really puzzled what to think or say, She kept her counsel in so close a way.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 584 William kept his own counsel so well that not a hint of his intention got abroad.
ΚΠ
1425 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 5 I prey yow..þat..ye wille..defenden þe seyd sutes..and to be of owr counseill in þese matieres.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 424/1 I am cheife a [= of] counsayle with one je suis de son segret priué.
1530 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 89 And noon of them other to blame or off councell wt that lewed dede.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxxvii. 15 Art thou of councel with God?
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John f. 20v A thing priuie and of councel to his first fault.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 783 She was a [= of] counsaile with the Lorde Hastynges to destroy him.
1633 J. Ford 'Tis Pitty shee's Whore v. sig. K3 v Say Fellow, know'st thou any yet vnnam'd Of Councell in this Incest?
1683 A. Snape Anat. Horse i. i. 69 Aristotle..was in his time thought to be the nearest of counsel to Nature.
1689 Proc. & Tryal Archbishop of Canterbury & Right Rev. Fathers 3 This Writ was granted upon our Motion, who are of Councel for the King.
II. A body or group of advisers; an adviser, consultant.† 7.
a. An assembly or body of advisers. Obsolete. Now council n. 4, 6.
ΚΠ
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 495 This bissopes..& abbodes al so, A conceil made general. [Also council n. 4, 6 for other quots.]
c1305 Pilate 38 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 112 He wolde him sle, ac his consail ne ȝaf him noȝt þerto.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 24793 His consail badd him for to faand, þe king of danemerk wit saand.
1549 M. Coverdale in M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Ded. sig. +.iiv The..wholsome aduyce and ministerie, of your noble vncle and counsail.
b. A single person with whom one consults or advises; a counsellor. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > [noun] > adviser or counsellor
redesmanOE
counsellor?c1225
reder1340
guidec1385
patronc1400
counselc1405
nurse?a1425
dresserc1450
guidant1495
adviser1575
advisor1589
manuducent1615
consiliary1652
manuductor1657
Dutch uncle1838
referent1844
consultee1855
mantri1873
advisory1880
consigliere1981
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 289 I..tolde thee my wo As to my conseil and to my brother sworn.
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 54 Will you follow your very worst Councell so farre, as to provoke your very best?
1654 E. Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 134 Lo. Digby was soe much the ablest Councell to the King.
8.
a. A body of legal advisers, engaged in the direction or conduct of a cause. (Usually a collective plural, but sometimes treated as a numeral plural; formerly, in ‘to desire the benefit of counsel’, ‘to be allowed counsel’, etc., treated as a collective singular: cf. quot. 1681.)
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > lawyer > [noun] > counsellor, barrister, or advocate > those retained in a particular case
counsel1393
bar1891
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 155 Help, that I hadde counseil here Upon the trouthe of my matere. And Julius with that anone Assigned him a worthy one.
1425 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 3 I haue, by aduys of counseill, in makyng a procuracie..to yow.
1591 R. Greene Second Pt. Conny-catching sig. D [He] hath his mind so full of cares to see his counsell and to plie his Atorney.
1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. xi. §777. 341 As shall bee devised by the Councell learned in the Law.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 28 Jan. (1974) VIII. 34 The Lords did insist..that he should have counsel; which the Commons would not suffer.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 26 Mar. (1974) VIII. 131 The second of our three counsel was the best.
1681 Arraignm.,Tryal & Condemnation S. Colledge 9 In Misdemeanour Councel is to be allowed for the Prisoner, but not in Treason.
1709 W. Calverley in C. Jackson et al. Yorks. Diaries (1886) II. 122 Council for Mr. Hackett were lawyers Adams and Wickham..for Mr. Wilson..councils, Mr. Thornton of Leeds, and Mr. Rawson of Bradford.
1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber xvi. 308 Two of the learned Council against us, came, afterwards, to be successively Lord Chancellors.
1837 Penny Cycl. VIII. 106/2 The duty of counsel is to give advice in questions of law, and to manage causes for clients. They are styled common law, equity, or chamber counsel, according to the nature of the business they transact.
1883 T. Martin Life Ld. Lyndhurst v. 139 The most formidable array of counsel that was ever banded together for a criminal prosecution.
b. as singular (rarely with plural counsels): A single legal adviser; a counsellor-at-law, advocate, or barrister.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > lawyer > [noun] > counsellor, barrister, or advocate
advocatec1384
oratorc1384
prolocutor1493
counsellor1530
barristerc1545
barman1657
bar-gown1664
counsel1709
limb of the bar1815
blue bag1817
actor1875
1709 [see sense 8a].
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 429 Because a Council of the other Side asserted it was coming down.
1789 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) III. 37 They have..charged one of their ablest counsels with the preparation of a memoir to establish this.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 122 Counsellor ——..the first counsel in Edinburgh.
c. King's (Queen's) Counsel: barristers appointed (on the nomination of the lord-chancellor) counsel to the crown; they take precedence of ordinary barristers, and wear a silk instead of a stuff gown; also a member of this body. (Abbreviated K.C., Q.C.)
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > lawyer > [noun] > counsellor, barrister, or advocate > K.C. or Q.C.
King's (Queen's) Counsel1689
silk gown1836
Q.C.1846
silk1884
1689 Proc. & Tryal Archbishop of Canterbury & Right Rev. Fathers 2 It is our Duty, who are the King's Councel..to prosecute such kind of Offences.
1797 T. W. Tone Autobiogr. (1828) 79 Two lawyers of great eminence..King's Counsel.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. ii. iii. 375 Queen's Council or her Majesty's Counsel..as servants of the Crown, must not be employed in any cause against its interest, without special license of the Crown, which is however never refused.
1892 Newspr. Mr. Lockwood, Q.C. defended.
Compounds
C1. counsel-giver, counsel-giving, counsel-keeping.
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Chron. xxii. 4 They were his councell geuers after his fathers death.
1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Dict. at Abogacía Pleading, counsell giuing, the profession of an aduocate.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iii. 24 And curtaind with a counsaile-keeping Caue. View more context for this quotation
1828 C. Wordsworth King Charles I 246 That counsel-giving to the King.
C2.
counsel-keeper n. one who is entrusted with designs, secrets, etc. by another; a confidant.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [noun] > friend > confidant
privya1325
secretarya1387
counsel-keeper1600
confident1619
secretara1628
trustee1641
troutc1661
confidante1709
confidant1741
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 269 And look whether the fierie Trigon..be not lisping to his master, old tables, his note booke, his counsel keeper?
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 476 She was not of..my counsell-keepers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
counselv.
/ˈkaʊnsɪl/ 1.
a. To give or offer counsel or advice to (a person); to advise.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > advise [verb (transitive)]
redeOE
rothec1175
beredea1225
counsel1297
informc1350
richc1400
accounsel1509
persuade1525
vise1528
underprompt1548
aread1559
resolve1579
direct1776–81
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 214 He bygan hem rede; And in þys batayle to conseyly, and þes wordes seyde.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5943 To counsaile þam þat askes counsayle.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 7991 Comyn i am þe to consayle, þu folu it, and it sal þe vayle.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 3817 He counseld þe childes fader.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. iii. 36 Theyr office is for to counceyll the kynge.
1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 27 Ye shall truly councell the king and his chauncellour..in al thinges concerning the same.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 27 Pray be counsail'd . View more context for this quotation
1789 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris II. 71 [He] has neither sense to counsel himself nor to choose counsellors for himself, much less to counsel others.
1842 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zanoni 27 Since we have thus met, I will pause to counsel you.
b. with constructions and adverbial complements, expressing the matter or tenor of the advice.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > advise [verb (transitive)] > advocate (a course of action, etc.)
redeOE
enhort1382
counsel1393
admonishc1405
sustain?c1450
exhortc1500
persuadea1513
urge1596
advise1597
unwarn1612
paraenesize1716
recommend1734
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 70 I you counseile That ye it kepe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 24213 Counsail me vn-to þe best.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 3751 Consail me fader, how to liue.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 3450 To consail hir quat were best.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) i. 43 I counseylle you that ye tourne agayn.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9804 He counceld the kynges to kayre into grece.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. i. 83 I will go..And counsaile him to fight against his passion. View more context for this quotation
1838 R. Southey Inscriptions xxii, in Poet. Wks. III. 127 Men who counsell'd him To offer terms.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters xv. 376 The weakly unjust king will not be counselled to his own honour and interest.
1871 R. F. Weymouth Euphuism 10 Euphues counsels ladies to cultivate good-nature and courtesy.
2. absol. To give or offer counsel or advice. †Const. to (a course or purpose).Arising out of 1, by suppression of the personal object, and leading the way to 3, in which the personal object is also absent, and the matter of the advice expressed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > give advice [verb (intransitive)]
redeOE
rothec1175
counsel1382
to give to redec1460
advise1481
to put in one's spoke1580
aread1598
1382 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 514 Alle men of þe Parlement counceilinge þerto.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 377 And as he consalit, thai haue done.
1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences 136 Austin that famous Disputer..counselleth to this purpose.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 1099 So counsel'd hee, and both together went Into the thickest Wood. View more context for this quotation
3. to counsel a thing: to advise its adoption or doing; to recommend (a plan, suggestion, etc.).
a. with the matter expressed by a sentence, clause, or infinitive phrase.
ΚΠ
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 3927 Som clerkes counsailles Þat we it spare and reserve halely, Until we com til purgatory.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. i. 201 Ich consaile, for comune profit lete þe cat worthe.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 4648 To þe same þai counselde Þar with þe cors to lende.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Ceremonies f. xxxv*v He counsayled that suche yocke and burden should be taken awaye.
b. with the matter expressed by a noun or pronoun.
ΚΠ
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11336 Hade þou counceld the contrary.
1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France ii. 55 It should be proposed and counselled, as necessary.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 227 Thus Belial..Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath. View more context for this quotation
1868 Parl. Deb. 3rd Ser. 190 1662 I would counsel to all men moderation and justice.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §2. 356 The Emperor himself counselled prudence and delay.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > advise [verb (transitive)] > ask advice of or seek counsel from
counsel1382
to call in1483
consult with1548
preconsult1606
consulta1634
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xxi. 21 The kyng..axide ydolis, he counseilide [a1425 L.V. took councel at] entrailis.
1528 S. Gardiner in N. Pocock Rec. Reformation (1870) I. l. 167 He could no less do than to counsel other thereupon.
1547 J. Hooper Answer Detection Deuyls Sophistrye 141 Moses..counselled the Lord and thereupon advised his subjects what was to be done.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > converse confer [verb (reflexive)]
counselc1290
devise1477
communicate1561
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > bethink oneself, consider [verb (reflexive)]
bethink?c1225
to be bethoughtc1250
beredec1275
counselc1290
umbethinka1300
umthinka1300
visea1330
advisec1380
umbthinka1400
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 122/552 Of ower olde lawes transcrit ȝe me take And þare-oppe ich chulle conseillen me ȝwuche beon to for-sake.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 199 He thought he wolde him first counseile With Apollo.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5509 Sir consail yow, and þat bi yarre Was neuer nede of consail mare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > converse [verb (intransitive)] > confer, consult, or deliberate
roundc1275
to speak togetherc1275
to take counselc1290
counsel1297
treat1297
advisea1393
communea1393
to take deliberationc1405
common1416
to put (also bring, lay, set, etc.) their (also our, your) heads togetherc1425
janglec1440
bespeak1489
parliamenta1492
intercommonc1540
confer1545
parle1558
consult1565
imparl1572
break parle1594
handle1596
emparley1600
to confer notes1650
to compare notes1709
powwow1780
to get together1816
palaver1877
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 91 Our Kyng..vnder feng hym fayr ynow, and conseilede of þe cas.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 90 Synful men shulden conseile with preestis, and take of hem medecine to fle more synne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 14386 Þa consailed þaim emang Him ouþer forto heued or hang.
1475 Bk. Noblesse 84 The saide governours of Rome..saiden they wolde counceile togither and advise a day.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 236 Ye muste counseyll emong you, & take your best adwys.
1533 H. Latimer Let. in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1563) 1315/1 Wiues muste councell with husbandes.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion i. 2 Those Druides..dwelt in darksome Groues, there counsailing with sprites.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc ix. 64 Counselling They met despondent.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.?c1225
v.c1290- hundred-franc
- hundred-gated
- hundred-handed
- hundred-headed
- hundred-headed thistle
- hundred-hued
- hundred-leaf
- hundred-leaved rose
- hundred-legs
- hundred-man
- hundred-mesh
- hundred-mile
- hundred-mote
- hundred-penny
- hundred-per-center
- hundred-per-centism
- hundred-petal
- hundred-pound
- hundred-pounder
- hundred-throated
- hundred-work
- hundredaghte
- hundredal
- hundredary
- hundredcitied