Lawyer

6 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Lawyer \Law"yer\, n. [From {Law}, like bowyer, fr. bow.]
     1. One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one
        whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to
        advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to
        legal rights and obligations in other matters. It is a
        general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors,


        solicitors, barristers, sergeants, and advocates.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.)
        (a) The black-necked stilt. See {Stilt}.
        (b) The bowfin ({Amia calva}).
        (c) The burbot ({Lota maculosa}).
            [1913 Webster]
  
     {Philadelphia lawyer}, A lawyer knowledgeable about the most
        detailed and minute points of law, especially one with an
        exceptional propensity and ability to exploit fine
        technical points of law for the client's advantage.
        [PJC]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stilt \Stilt\, n. [OE. stilte; akin to Dan. stylte, Sw. stylta,
     LG. & D. stelt, OHG. stelza, G. stelze, and perh. to E.
     stout.]
     1. A pole, or piece of wood, constructed with a step or loop
        to raise the foot above the ground in walking. It is
        sometimes lashed to the leg, and sometimes prolonged
        upward so as to be steadied by the hand or arm.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Ambition is but avarice on stilts, and masked.
                                                    --Landor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A crutch; also, the handle of a plow. [Prov. Eng.]
        --Halliwell.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) Any species of limicoline birds belonging to
        {Himantopus} and allied genera, in which the legs are
        remarkably long and slender. Called also {longshanks},
        {stiltbird}, {stilt plover}, and {lawyer}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The American species ({Himantopus Mexicanus}) is well
           known. The European and Asiatic stilt ({Himantopus
           candidus}) is usually white, except the wings and
           interscapulars, which are greenish black. The
           white-headed stilt ({Himantopus leucocephalus}) and the
           banded stilt ({Cladorhynchus pectoralis}) are found in
           Australia.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Stilt plover} (Zool.), the stilt.
  
     {Stilt sandpiper} (Zool.), an American sandpiper
        ({Micropalama himantopus}) having long legs. The bill is
        somewhat expanded at the tip.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  lawyer
       n : a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts
           lawsuits or gives legal advice [syn: {attorney}]

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Lawyer
     among the Jews, was one versed in the laws of Moses, which he
     expounded in the schools and synagogues (Matt. 22:35; Luke
     10:25). The functions of the "lawyer" and "scribe" were
     identical. (See {DOCTOR}.)
     

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  LAWYER. A counselor; one learned in the law. Vide attorney.
  
  

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:

  LAWYER, n.  One skilled in circumvention of the law.