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n. [ OE. avocat, avocet, OF. avocat, fr. L. advocatus, one summoned or called to another; properly the p. p. of advocare to call to, call to one's aid; ad + vocare to call. See Advowee, Avowee, Vocal. ] 1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Christ, considered as an intercessor. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have an Advocate with the Father. 1 John ii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Advocated p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating ] [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To advocate the cause of thy client. Bp. Sanderson (1624). [ 1913 Webster ]

This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To act as advocate. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Office or duty of an advocate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. advocatio: cf. OF. avocation. See Advowson. ] 1. The act of advocating or pleading; plea; advocacy. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The holy Jesus . . . sits in heaven in a perpetual advocation for us. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Advowson. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The donations or advocations of church livings. Sanderson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Scots Law) The process of removing a cause from an inferior court to the supreme court. Bell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to an advocate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Corrupted from the Mexican ahuacatl: cf. Sp. aguacate, F. aguacaté, avocat, G. avogadobaum. ] The pulpy fruit of Persea gratissima, a tree of tropical America. It is about the size and shape of a large pear; -- called also avocado pear, alligator pear, midshipman's butter. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. ] An advocate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. avocatus, p. p. of avocare; a, ab + vocare to call. Cf. Avoke, and see Vocal, a. ] To call off or away; to withdraw; to transfer to another tribunal. [ Obs. or Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

One who avocateth his mind from other occupations. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. avocatio. ] 1. A calling away; a diversion. [ Obs. or Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Heaven is his vocation, and therefore he counts earthly employments avocations. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

By the secular cares and avocations which accompany marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill in common life. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense the word is applied to the smaller affairs of life, or occasional calls which summon a person to leave his ordinary or principal business. Avocation (in the singular) for vocation is usually avoided by good writers. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation. [ 1913 Webster ]

There are professions, among the men, no more favorable to these studies than the common avocations of women. Richardson. [ 1913 Webster ]

In a few hours, above thirty thousand men left his standard, and returned to their ordinary avocations. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

An irregularity and instability of purpose, which makes them choose the wandering avocations of a shepherd, rather than the more fixed pursuits of agriculture. Buckle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Calling off. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which calls aside; a dissuasive. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. avocette: cf. It. avosetta, Sp. avoceta. ] (Zool.) A grallatorial bird, of the genus Recurvirostra; the scooper. The bill is long and bend upward toward the tip. The American species is Recurvirostra Americana. [ Written also avocette. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Convocated; p. pr. & vb. n. Convocating. ] [ L. convocatus, p. p. of convocare to convocate; con- + vocare to call. See Vocal, and cf. Convoce. ] To convoke; to call together. [ Obs. ] May (Lucan). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. convocatio: cf. F. convocation. See Convoke. ] 1. The act of calling or assembling by summons. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An assembly or meeting. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the first day there shall be a holy convocation. Ex. xii. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Ch. of Eng.) An assembly of the clergy, by their representatives, to consult on ecclesiastical affairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In England, the provinces of Canterbury and York have each their convocation, but no session for business were allowed from 1717 to 1861. The Convocation of Canterbury consists of two houses. In the Convocation of York the business has been generally conducted in one assembly. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Oxf. University) An academical assembly, in which the business of the university is transacted.

Syn. -- meeting; assembly; congregation; congress; diet; convention; synod; council. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a convocation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An advocate or defender of convocation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make toneless; to deprive of vowel quality. -- De*vo`cal*i*za"tion, n. [1913 Webster]

If we take a high vowel, such as (i) [= nearly i of bit], and devocalize it, we obtain a hiss which is quite distinct enough to stand for a weak (jh). H. Sweet. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. devocare to call off or away; de + vocare to call. ] A calling off or away. [ R. ] Hallywell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Equivocalness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. aequivocus: aequus equal + vox, vocis, word. See Equal, and Voice, and cf. Equivoque. ] 1. (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous; uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence. [ 1913 Webster ]

For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes. Jeffrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal. “Equivocal repentances.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. “How equivocal a test.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Equivocal chord (Mus.), a chord which can be resolved into several distinct keys; one whose intervals, being all minor thirds, do not clearly indicate its fundamental tone or root; the chord of the diminished triad, and the diminished seventh.

Syn. -- Ambiguous; doubtful; uncertain; indeterminate. -- Equivocal, Ambiguous. We call an expression ambiguous when it has one general meaning, and yet contains certain words which may be taken in two different senses; or certain clauses which can be so connected with other clauses as to divide the mind between different views of part of the meaning intended. We call an expression equivocal when, taken as a whole, it conveys a given thought with perfect clearness and propriety, and also another thought with equal propriety and clearness. Such were the responses often given by the Delphic oracle; as that to Crœsus when consulting about a war with Persia: “If you cross the Halys, you will destroy a great empire.” This he applied to the Persian empire, which lay beyond that river, and, having crossed, destroyed his own empire in the conflict. What is ambiguous is a mere blunder of language; what is equivocal is usually intended to deceive, though it may occur at times from mere inadvertence. Equivocation is applied only to cases where there is a design to deceive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. [ 1913 Webster ]

In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found. Fitzed. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an equivocal manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being equivocal. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Equivocated p. pr. & vb. n. Equivocating. ] [ L. aequivocatus, p. p. of aequivocari to be called by the same name, fr. L. aequivocus: cf. F. équivoquer. See Equivocal, a. ] To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to express one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead; as, to equivocate is the work of duplicity. [ 1913 Webster ]

All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate. Bp. Stillingfleet.

Syn. -- To prevaricate; evade; shuffle; quibble. See Prevaricate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To render equivocal or ambiguous. [ 1913 Webster ]

He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation. Sir G. Buck. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, with a purpose to mislead. [ 1913 Webster ]

There being no room for equivocations, there is no need of distinctions. Locke.

Syn. -- Prevarication; ambiguity; shuffling; evasion; guibbling. See Equivocal, a., and Prevaricate, v. i. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who equivocates. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here's an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, yet could not equivocate to heaven. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Indicating, or characterized by, equivocation.

v. t. [ L. evocatus, p. p. of evocare. See Evoke. ] To call out or forth; to summon; to evoke. [ R. ] Stackhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. evocatio: cf. F. évocation. ] The act of calling out or forth. Sir. T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

The evocation of that better spirit. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Calling forth; serving to evoke; developing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evocative power over all that is eloquent and expressive in the better soul of man. W. Pater. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who calls forth. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ W. hafog devastation, havoc; or, if this be itself fr. E. havoc, cf. OE. havot, or AS. hafoc hawk, which is a cruel or rapacious bird, or F. hai, voux! a cry to hounds. ] Wide and general destruction; devastation; waste. [ 1913 Webster ]

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church. Acts viii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make
Among your works! Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To devastate; to destroy; to lay waste. [ 1913 Webster ]

To waste and havoc yonder world. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

interj. [ See Havoc, n. ] A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter. Toone. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt
With modest warrant. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cry 'havoc, ' and let slip the dogs of war! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Phon.) Situated between vowels; immediately preceded and followed by vowel sounds, as, p in occupy, d in idea, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Invocated p. pr. & vb. n. Invocating ] [ L. invocatus, p. p. of invocare. See Invoke. ] To invoke; to call on, or for, in supplication; to implore. [ 1913 Webster ]

If Dagon be thy god,
Go to his temple, invocate his aid. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. invocation, L. invocatio. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or form of calling for the assistance or presence of some superior being; earnest and solemn entreaty; esp., prayer offered to a divine being. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty and pathetical! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The whole poem is a prayer to Fortune, and the invocation is divided between the two deities. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) A call or summons; especially, a judicial call, demand, or order; as, the invocation of papers or evidence into court. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Making or containing invocation; invoking. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. irrévocabilité. ] The state or quality of being irrevocable; irrevocableness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. irrevocabilis: cf. F. irrévocable. See In- not, and Revoke, and cf. Irrevocable. ] Incapable of being recalled or revoked; unchangeable; irreversible; unalterable; as, an irrevocable promise or decree; irrevocable fate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Firm and irrevocable is my doom. Shak.

-- Ir*rev"o*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Ir*rev"o*ca*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ It., fr. mezzo, fem. mezza middle, half + voce voice, L. vox. ] (Mus.) With a medium fullness of sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Multi- + vocal. ] Signifying many different things; of manifold meaning; equivocal. “An ambiguous multivocal word.” Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- n. A multivocal word. [ R. ] Fitzed. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not vocal; destitute of tone. -- n. A nonvocal consonant. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. (Phonology) not vocalic; not having vowel character; -- used of liquids and nasals. Opposite of vocalic.
Syn. -- consonantal, nonsyllabic. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n.; pl. Ovococci [ Ovum + Gr. &unr_; grain, seed. ] (Biol.) A germinal vesicle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. provocation, L. provocatio. See Provoke. ] 1. The act of provoking, or causing vexation or, anger. Fabyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which provokes, or excites anger; the cause of resentment; as, to give provocation. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Incitement; stimulus; as, provocation to mirth. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) Such prior insult or injury as may be supposed, under the circumstances, to create hot blood, and to excuse an assault made in retort or redress. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. An appeal to a court. [ A Latinism ] [ Obs. ] Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]