solicitor
solicitor Lexical Profile
solicitor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A qualified legal practitioner who advises clients, drafts legal documents, handles property transactions, and prepares cases for barristers to present in higher courts.
"Before signing the commercial lease, she asked her solicitor to review all the contractual obligations."
American A person who approaches others to seek trade, business orders, charitable donations, or political support, especially by going from door to door.
"The neighborhood association posted a sign at the entrance stating that canvassers and solicitors were not permitted."
American The chief law officer of a city, town, county, or government department.
"The city solicitor issued a formal legal opinion regarding the zoning ordinance proposed by the council."
Word Nuance & Usage
In the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth jurisdictions, a solicitor is a legal practitioner who advises clients and prepares cases, distinct from a barrister, who primarily argues cases in higher courts. In American English, the term commonly refers either to a door-to-door salesperson or to the chief law officer of a municipality or government department.
• Rhymes for solicitor
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 15th century from Middle French solliciteur, from Old French soliciter ('to urge, entreat, or manage affairs'), ultimately from Latin sollicitare ('to agitate, disturb, or arouse'), derived from sollicitus ('anxious, thoroughly moved').