COUNSEL, noun [Latin , to consult; to ask, to assail.]

1. Advice; opinion, or instruction, given upon request or otherwise, for directing the judgment or conduct of another; opinion given upon deliberation or consultation.

Every purpose is established by counsel Proverbs 20:5.

Thou hast not hearkened to my counsel 2 Chronicles 25:16.

2. Consultation; interchange of opinions.

We took sweet counsel together. Psalms 55:14.

3. Deliberation; examination of consequences.

They all confess that, in the working of that first cause, counsel is used, reason followed, and a way observed.

4. Prudence; deliberate opinion or judgment, or the faculty or habit of judging with caution.

O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honor. Ecclus. 25.

The law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients. Ezekiel 7:26.

5. In a bad sense, evil advice or designs; art; machination.

The counsel of the froward is carried headlong. Job 5:13.

6. Secresy; the secrets entrusted in consultation; secret opinions or purposes. Let a man keep his own counsel

7. In a scriptural sense, purpose; design; will; decree.

What thy counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:28.

To show the immutability of his counsel Hebrews 6:17.

8. Directions of Gods word.

Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel Psalms 73:24.

9. The will of God or his truth and doctrines concerning the way of salvation.

I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. Acts 20:27.

10. Those who give counsel in law; any counselor or advocate, or any number of counselors, barristers or sergeants; as the plaintiffs counsel or the defendants counsel The attorney-general and solicitor-general are the kings counsel In this sense, the word has no plural; but in the singular number, is applicable to one or more persons.

COUNSEL, verb transitive [Latin]

1. To give advice or deliberate opinion to another for the government of his conduct; to advise.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire. Revelations 3.

2. To exhort, warn, admonish, or instruct. We ought frequently to counsel our children against the vices of the age.

They that will not be counseled, cannot be helped.

3. To advise or recommend; as, to counsel a crime. [Not much used.]