Advocate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Advocated; p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating.]
Etymology: [See Advocate, n., Advoke, Avow.]
To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly. To advocate the cause of thy client. Bp. Sanderson (1624). This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated. Burke. Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. Mitford.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Advocate, n.
1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
Note: In the English and American Law, advocate is the same as "counsel," "counselor," or "barrister." In the civil and ecclesiastical courts, the term signifies the same as "counsel" at the common law.
2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
3. Christ, considered as an intercessor. We have an Advocate with the Father. 1 John ii. 1. Faculty of advocates (Scot.), the Scottish bar in Edinburgh. -- Lord advocate (Scot.), the public prosecutor of crimes, and principal crown lawyer. -- Judge advocate. See under Judge.
Advocate, v. i.
To act as advocate. [Obs.] Fuller.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for advocate; he lists it under abet, plead.
Where he writes about it:
A clergyman will advocate the claims of justice, aid the poor, encourage the despondent, support the weak, uphold the constituted authorities; but he will not incite to a quarrel, instigate a riot, or abet a crime. — from abet