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Attorney Definition: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：legal representative (attorney)
attorney
/əˈtɜːrni/
n.
A professional person who has the legal right to act for someone else in court or in legal matters.
legal representative
➕
/ˈliːɡəl ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/
n.
An attorney is a person who is legally qualified to represent clients in court or advise on legal matters, often synonymous with lawyer.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old French 'atorné' (appointed), from 'a-' (to) + 'torner' (to turn).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'a-turn-key' — an attorney turns the key to unlock legal solutions.
📖 Example
My grandmother hired an attorney to help her write her will and make sure her wishes were followed.
My grandmother engaged a legal professional to draft her will and ensure her instructions were executed.
🔗 Collocations
attorney general – the principal legal officer of a country or state
power of attorney – a legal document authorizing someone to act on another's behalf
defense attorney – a lawyer representing the accused in a criminal case
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
attorneyship (n.) – the position or role of an attorney
attorney-at-law (n.) – a formal term for a lawyer
attorney-client privilege (n.) – the legal protection of confidential communications between an attorney and their client
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Latin 'attornatus', an attorney was a person appointed to represent another in legal matters. The term became prominent in English common law during the 13th century.
Meaning 2：authorized agent (attorney)
attorney
/əˈtɜːrni/
n.
A person who is given the legal power to act on behalf of another person in particular matters.
authorized agent
➕
/ˈɔːθəraɪzd ˈeɪdʒənt/
n.
This meaning refers to a person who has been legally empowered to act on behalf of another, often through a power of attorney document, for specific matters such as financial or medical decisions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Before her trip abroad, she signed a document naming her brother as her attorney, so he could manage her bank payments if needed.
Prior to traveling overseas, she executed a power of attorney appointing her brother as her agent to handle her bank transactions if necessary.
🔗 Collocations
power of attorney – a legal authorization to act for someone else
attorney in fact – a person authorized to act on another's behalf under a power of attorney
healthcare attorney – an agent designated to make medical decisions
🔄 Synonyms
agent (n.) – a person who acts on behalf of another
proxy (n.) – a person authorized to represent another
representative (n.) – a person who acts for others
🚫 Antonyms
principal (n.) – the person who authorizes an agent to act on their behalf
🌱 Derivatives
attorneyship (n.) – the position or role of an attorney
attorney-in-fact (n.) – a person authorized to act as an agent under a power of attorney
Wordbook
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