Thilke lord . . . to whom no counsel may be hid.
Gower.
6. 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; as, the defendant has able counsel.
The King found his counsel as refractory as his judges.
Macaulay.
&fist; In some courts a distinction is observed between the attorney and the counsel in a cause, the former being employed in the management of the more mechanical parts of the suit, the latter in attending to the pleadings, managing the cause at the trial, and in applying the law to the exigencies of the case during the whole progress of the suit. In other courts the same person can exercise the powers of each. See Attorney. Kent.
In counsel, in secret. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- To keep counsel, or To keep one's own counsel, to keep one's thoughts, purposes, etc., undisclosed.
The players can not keep counsel: they 'll tell all.
Shak.
Syn. -- Advice; consideration; consultation; purpose; scheme; opinion.
Coun"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counseled (-s&ebreve;ld) or Counselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Counseling or Counselling.] [OE. conseilen, counseilen, F. conseiller, fr. L. consiliari, fr. consilium counsel.] 1. To give advice to; to advice, admonish, or instruct, as a person.
Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you
To leave this place.
Shak.