counsel

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The act of exchanging opinions and ideas; consultation.
2. n. Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person. See Synonyms at advice.
3. n. A plan of action.
4. n. Private, guarded thoughts or opinions: keep one's own counsel.
5. n. A lawyer or group of lawyers giving legal advice and especially conducting a case in court.
6. v. To give counsel to; advise. See Synonyms at advise.
7. v. To recommend: counseled care in the forthcoming negotiations.
8. v. To give or take advice. See Usage Note at council.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Consultation; deliberation; mutual advising or interchange of opinions.
2. n. Advice; opinion or instruction given, as the result of consultation or request; aid or instruction given in directing the judgment or conduct of another.
3. n. Prudence; due consideration; wise and cautious exercise of judgment; examination of consequences.
4. n. Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.
5. n. A private or secret opinion or purpose; consultation in secret; concealment.
6. n. One who gives counsel, especially in matters of law; a counselor or advocate, or several such, engaged in the direction or the trial of a cause in court: as, the plaintiff's or defendant's counsel.
7. n. Same as council, but properly a different word, the two being confused. See council.
8. To give counsel or advice to; advise; admonish; instruct.
9. To advise or recommend; urge the adoption of.
10. To consult; take counsel; deliberate.

Wiktionary

1. n. The exchange of opinions and advice; consultation
2. n. Advice or guidance so given
3. n. A lawyer, as in Queen's Counsel (QC)
4. v. To give advice, especially professional advice.
5. v. To recommend

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. Interchange of opinions; mutual advising; consultation.
2. n. Examination of consequences; exercise of deliberate judgment; prudence.
3. n. Result of consultation; advice; instruction.
4. n. Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.
5. n. A secret opinion or purpose; a private matter.
6. n. 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.
7. v. To give advice to; to advice, admonish, or instruct, as a person.
8. v. To advise or recommend, as an act or course.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. give advice to
2. n. a lawyer who pleads cases in court
3. n. something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action