solicitors
|so-lic-i-tors|
🇺🇸
/səˈlɪsɪtərz/
🇬🇧
/səˈlɪsɪtəz/
(solicitor)
legal advisor
Etymology
'solicitor' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'soliciteur', ultimately from Latin 'sollicitare', where the root 'sollicit-' meant 'to disturb, agitate'.
'solicitor' changed from Old French 'soliciteur' and Middle English 'solicitour' and eventually became the modern English word 'solicitor'.
Initially it meant 'one who urges or entreats' (from the Latin sense of 'disturb/urge'), but over time it evolved into the specialized meanings 'legal practitioner' and 'one who solicits business or contributions'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a legal practitioner who gives legal advice, prepares legal documents, and may represent clients in lower courts; in some jurisdictions (notably England and Wales) solicitors typically instruct barristers for higher-court advocacy.
The solicitors reviewed the contract before we signed.
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Noun 2
a person who solicits business, orders, donations, or signatures — e.g., a canvasser, fundraiser, or salesman who requests something from the public.
Street solicitors were asking for donations outside the station.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 12:47