[a. Fr. advocacion, earlier avocacion (12th c. in Godef.), ad. L. advocātiōn-em, n. of action f. advocā-re, see ADVOKE. The senses are partly taken from this, partly from med.L. advocātio, the function of the advocātus, in the various mediæval senses of that word.]
I. n. of action from L. advocāre.
† 1. A calling of people to council; a summoning or convocation. Obs.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, IV. i. i 8. Hit apperteyneth not to hem to be of counceyls ne at the aduocacions.
2. The calling of an action before itself by a superior court. Not used in Eng. law, but the technical term in Scotland, as also in the papal court. (See ADVOKE, and ADVOCATE v.1)
Bill of Advocation (Sc. Law) The written application to the higher court asking for removal of the action. Letters or Note of Advocation, the order issued by the higher court, equivalent to an Eng. writ of certiorari issued by a superior Court for the removal of an action to itself.
a. 1528. Skelton, Im. Hypocr., II. 361. He robbeth all nations With his fulminations, Advocations.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce of Hen. VIII. (1878), 184. The Cardinall (Wolsey) most earnestly travelled to … stay the advocation of the said cause … to the court of Rome.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 62. Advocation of causes, may be admitted be reason of the iniquitie of the Judge in the inferiour court: or of his doubting, or ignorance of the cause.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., If after letters of advocation are intimated to that judge, he yet proceeds, his decree will be null.
1808. Bentham, Scotch Ref., 15. Instruments of usurpation, in English practice, pone and certiorari; in Scottish, bills of advocation.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 147. Wolsey, however, failed in his protest; the advocation was passed.
† 3. The act of calling to one’s aid; an appeal (for aid or defence). Obs.
1598. Barckley, Felicit. Man (1631), 685. True Religion doth direct us & our prayers and advocations to one God.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Advocation, in the civil law, the act of calling another to our aid, relief, or defence.
II. n. of office from L. advocatus.
† 4. The function of an ADVOCATE (1, 2) or pleader; pleading, advocacy, advocateship. Obs.
1604. Shaks., Oth., III. iv. 123. Alas … My Aduocation is not now in Tune.
1651. Jer. Taylor, Serm. I. xxvii. 349. [Christ] sits in heaven in a perpetual advocation for us.
1767. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1859), I. 310. Rejecting your advocation in behalf of your friend.
† 5. The function or office of a patron (see ADVOCATE 4); guardianship, protection or patronage of a church, or benefice; right of presentation to a living; = ADVOWSON (another form of the same word). Obs.
1566. in Harrington, Nug. Antiq., 157. [He] would bestowe the advocation therof uppon my son.
1621. Sanderson, Serm., Ad. Pop. IV. 33 (1674), 205. Parents, that have the donations or Advocations of Church Livings in their hands, must needs have some of their Children … thrust into the Ministry.
1661. Bramhall, Just Vind., iv. 66. To the Kings of England … the Advocation and protection of all the Churches of England.
