In counsel, in secret. [Obs.] Chaucer.To keep counsel, or To keep one's own counsel, to keep one's thoughts, purposes, etc., undisclosed.

The players can not keep counsel: they 'll tell all.
Shak.

Syn. — Advice; consideration; consultation; purpose; scheme; opinion.

Counsel
(Coun"sel), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counseled (-seld) or Counselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Counseling or Counselling.] [OE. conseilen, counseilen, F. conseiller, fr. L. consiliari, fr. consilium counsel.]

1. To give advice to; to advice, admonish, or instruct, as a person.

Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you
To leave this place.
Shak.

2. To advise or recommend, as an act or course.

They who counsel war.
Milton.

Thus Belial, with words clothed in reason's garb,
Counseled ignoble ease and peaceful sloth.
Milton.

Counselable
(Coun"sel*a*ble) a. [Written also counsellable.]

1. Willing to receive counsel or follow advice. [R.]

Few men of so great parts were upon all occasions more counselable than he.
Clarendon.

2. Suitable to be advised; advisable, wise. [Obs.]

He did not believe it counselable.
Clarendon.

Counselor
(Coun"sel*or) n. [Written also counsellor.] [OE. conseiler, F. conseiller, fr. L. consiliarius, fr. consilium counsel.]

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

The counsel of the Lord standeth forever.
Ps. xxxiii. 11.

The counsels of the wicked are deceit.
Prov. xii. 5.

5. A secret opinion or purpose; a private matter.

Thilke lord . . . to whom no counsel may be hid.
Gower.

6. One who gives advice, especially in legal matters; one professionally engaged in the trial or management of a cause in court; also, collectively, the legal advocates united in the management of a case; as, the defendant has able counsel.

The King found his counsel as refractory as his judges.
Macaulay.

In some courts a distinction is observed between the attorney and the counsel in a cause, the former being employed in the management of the more mechanical parts of the suit, the latter in attending to the pleadings, managing the cause at the trial, and in applying the law to the exigencies of the case during the whole progress of the suit. In other courts the same person can exercise the powers of each. See Attorney. Kent.


  By PanEris using Melati.

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