Forms: 3–6 con-, counseil, -seyl, -sail, -sayl, (-seile, -seille, -seyle, -saile, -saille, -sayle, etc.; also 4–5 cun-, cown-, koun-, kown-); 5–7 counsell, (-al, -all, -ale, etc.); 4– counsel: about 40 variants. Also 4–5 con-, coun-, etc., -cel, -cele, -ceil, etc.; 5–7 councell, 6–8 -cel, 7–8 -cil: about 15 variants. [ME. con-, counseil, -ail, -ayl, a. OF. conseil, cunseil, in AFr. counseil (= Pr. conselh, Cat. consell, Sp. consejo, Pg. conseglo, It. consiglio):—L. consilium consultation, plan decided on as the result of consultation, advice, counsel, advising faculty, prudence; a deliberating body, a council of state, war, etc.; a counsellor: a word of the same type as colloquium, connubium, etc., f. consulĕre to deliberate, etc., f. con- together + *sal- a root found also in consul, consulto, and prob. cognate with Skr. sar- to go. The various senses are retained in French; but in English, those meaning a deliberating body are now written COUNCIL, by confusion with L. concilium.]
I. 1. Interchange of opinions on a matter of procedure; consultation, deliberation. To take counsel: to consult, deliberate.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 59/202. A-mong þis Cardinales counseil þere was i-nome.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter xii. 2. How lange sall I sett counsails in my hert of diuerse thynges.
c. 1450. Merlin, x. 141. After mete Arthur & Merlin went togeder to counseile.
1539. Bible (Great), John xi. 53. Then from that daye forth they toke counsell together, for to put him to deeth.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 258. There were great counsayles betwene the King and Jaques Dartnell, on the one parte, and the Counsayles of the good townes of the other part.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. iii. 11. I hold as little counsaile with weake feare, As you.
1611. Bible, Job xxxviii. 2. Who is this that darkneth counsell by words without knowledge?
1710. Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, i. 9. No time … for that Counsel and Consideration which is requisite.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, VIII. 576. Time was not for long counsel.
1872. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 11. There are, as history instructs us, eras of counsel and eras of execution.
1879. Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. VI. vi. 72. He found old Lefévre, and took much counsel with him.
† b. Conference, conversation. Obs. rare.
a. 1350. Leben Jesu (ed. Horstmann), 79 (Mätz.). Nuste no man ȝwat it was, þat conseil longe ilaste. Ibid., 340. Þa comen þe apostles, and þouȝten wonder þat he wolde suych conseil drawe Mid a womman þat sunfol was.
2. Opinion as to what ought to be done given as the result of consultation; aid or instruction for directing the judgment; advice, direction.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 70. Ne no mon ne aski ou read ne counsail.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 111/169. Heo ȝaf him conseil þane wei to gon.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 315. Triste we to god þat he wole ȝiue us concel in þis.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 207. Taak no conseil of a fool.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. x. The kyng asked counceil at hem al.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, Pref. (1870), 226. Without the counceyl [1547 counsell] of Mayster doctour Butte.
1579. Gosson, Apol. Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 70. If plaiers take a little more counsell of their pillowe, they shall finde them selues to be the worste, and the daungerousest people in the world.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath. (1839), 241. Counsel, is where a man saith, do, or do not this, and deduceth his reasons from the benefit that arriveth by it to him to whom he saith it.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 185, ¶ 1. The counsels of philosophy and the injunctions of religion.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., I. vi. 142. Both princes … hearkened the more willingly to the councils of Anselm.
1874. Green, Short Hist., viii. 487. The failure of the more moderate counsels for which his own had been set aside.
b. spec. in Theol. One of the advisory declarations of Christ and the apostles, in mediæval theology reckoned as twelve, which are considered not to be universally binding, but to be given as a means of attaining greater moral perfection; so counsel of perfection, esp. in reference to Matt. xix. 21. Evangelical counsels, the three obligations of voluntary poverty, chastity, and obedience to a religious superior (see quot. 1875).
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 2. Ȝif men wolen … kepe þe counseilis of Crist, loke þat þei croken not from him.
1450–1530. Myrr. Our Ladye, 139. By the nombre of xxii ys vnderstonde the x commaundementes and the xii counsaylles of the gospell. Ibid., 140. The commaundementes of oure lorde that all must kepe that wyll be saued … The counsayles that longe to relygyous & to folke of perfeccyon.
1577. Vautrouillier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 85, marg. The Papistes diuide the gospell into precepts and counsels. To the preceptes men are bound (say they), but not to the counsels.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., Exhort. § 8. Although some men did acts of Counsel in order to attain that perfection which in Jesus was essential and unalterable.
1863. Keble, Life Bp. Wilson, xii. 405. This … which the tenor of her life may justify us in calling no extravagance of pietism, but a real counsel of perfection.
1875. Manning, Mission H. Ghost, xii. 330. But the life of counsels—that is, the life of poverty, the life of chastity, the life of obedience, which is the life of the priesthood and the life of those who enter convents.
1885. Catholic Dict., 325/1. The high estimation in which the Fathers held the evangelical counsels.
1886. Earl Selborne, Def. Ch. Eng., III. xvii. § 3. 297. A tendency … to elevate counsels of perfection into laws of bondage.
3. The faculty of counselling or advising; judgment; prudence; sagacity in the devising of plans. Obs. or arch.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 412. He was queynte of conseyl & speche, & of body strong.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 29205 (Cott.). Þe gift o wijt, of vnder-standing, o consail.
1382. Wyclif, Isa. xi. 2. And ther shal resten vp on hym the Spirit of the Lord … spirit of counseil and of strengthe.
c. 1400. Sowdone Bab., 367. Tho by-spake a worthy man of counsaile, An Erille of the Senatouris.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 457. Laulie and meik and of consall rycht gude.
1611. Bible, Job xii. 13. With him is wisedome & strength, he hath counsell and vnderstanding.
1653. H. More, Antid. Ath., II. i. (1712), 38. Things are so framed that they naturally imply a Principle of Wisdom and Counsel in the Author of them.
4. That in which deliberation results; resolution, purpose, intention; plan, design, scheme.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 371. Hii … were alle at conseyl to worry Engelond.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. xxxii[i]. 11. The counseill forsothe of the Lord withoute ende abit.
c. 1450. Merlin, xiv. 202. He ne kowde no counseile how he myght his londe deffende.
1534. Tindale, Acts ii. 23. Delivered by the determinat counsell and foreknoweledge of God.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par., Pref. 5. His prouidence and consailles unscrutable.
1600. Holland, Livy, VII. xx. 262. Would any man impute it rather to deliberate counsell, than to some fit of heat and follie?
1680. Burnet, Rochester, 84. We who cannot fathome the Secrets of the Councel of God.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 15. 55. The secret counsels of the Infinite Mind.
† 5. A private or secret purpose, design or opinion. Obs. (exc. as in d).
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3161 (Cott.). His consail will he naman tell.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 683. How myȝt I hyde myn hert fro Habraham þe trwe, Þat I ne dyscouered to his corse my counsayle so dere.
1473. Warkw., Chron., 9. There cownselle was dyscoverede.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 776. Many thought that thys Duke was privie to all the Protectors counsayle.
1607. Shaks., Cor., I. ii. 2. They of Rome are entred in our Counsailes, And know how we proceede.
1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 229. By diligent watchfulness discover their [Enemies’] approaches or counsels.
† b. A matter of confidence or secrecy; a secret; a confidence. Obs. (exc. as in d).
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27886 (Cotton Galba). Dronkinhede … mase oft kounsail to be talde.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 157. Þat þat wommen witeth may nouȝte wel be conseille!
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2784. To sayn soþ of þy make, Hit ne may beo no consail; þe Sarazyns him habbeþ itake.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Wife’s T., 110. But natheles hir thoughte that sche dyde, That sche so long a counseil scholde hyde.
c. 1450. Crt. of Love, 722. But this is counsaile, keepe it secretly, (Quod she).
c. 1460. Play Sacram., 522. Charge yow euerychoon That yt be conselle that we haue doon.
1530. Palsgr., 208/1. Counsell, secret.
1613. Massinger, Dk. Milan, III. i. Nay, it is no counsel, You may partake it, gentlemen.
† c. In counsel: in private, in confidence. Obs.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xii. 137. He leet voyden out of his chambre all maner of men … for he wolde speke with me in conseill.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XX. i. Thenne sir Agrauayne sayd thus openly and not in no counceylle.
1535. Coverdale, Job iv. 12. There is spoken unto me a thynge in councell.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. i. 122. Shal. The Councell shall know this. Fal. ’Twere better for you if it were known in councell: you’ll be laugh’d at.
1638. Ford, Fancies, I. iii. A pastime smiled at Amongst yourselves in counsel; but beware Of being overheard.
d. † To keep or hold (a matter) counsel (later in counsel): to keep it secret (obs.). To keep († hold) counsel: to observe secrecy (arch. and dial.). To keep any one’s counsel: to keep a secret that he has committed to one (arch. or obs.). To keep one’s (own) counsel: to keep one’s own secret, be reticent about one’s intentions or opinions.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27411 (Cott.). Þe sin þat said es to þe preist he hald it consail euer in breist.
c. 1450. Erle Tolous, 582. Madam, your trowthe ys plyght, To holde counsayle, bothe day and nyght.
c. 1450. Merlin, i. 16. This may not be kepte counseill.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VIII. xxxviii. He kepeth it no counceil but that he is a knyghte of Kynge Arthurs. Ibid., XII. v. Kepe hit in counceylle and let noo man knowe hit in the world.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, 16. It is comyn prouerbe that women can kepe no counceyl.
c. 1550. Bale, K. Johan (Camden), 26. Kepe yt counsell, dane Davy Dyssymulacyon.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 168. Thrée may kepe councell if twayne be away.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 217. Women and children keepe that in counsel whereof they are ignorant.
1602. Shaks., Ham., IV. ii. 11. Do not beleeue it … That I can keepe your counsel, and not mine owne.
1611. Bible, Ecclus. viii. 17. Consult not with a foole; for he cannot keepe counsell.
1641. Brome, Joviall Crew, II. Wks. 1873, III. 374. We … have kept all your councels ever since we have been Infant Playfellows.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 12, ¶ 1. I am the best Man in the World to keep my own Counsel.
1757. Foote, Author, I. Wks. 1799, I. 136. Don’t be afraid; I’ll keep council.
1818. Byron, Juan, I. lxviii. I’m really puzzled what to think or say, She kept her counsel in so close a way.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 584. William kept his own counsel so well that not a hint of his intention got abroad.
† 6. Of counsel with or for (a person), in, with or to (an act, etc.): in the counsels, confidence or secrets of; one of the advisers of (a person); privy to (an act). Obs.
1435. Paston Lett., No. 5, I. 22. I prey yow … that … ye will … defenden the seyd sutes … and to be of owr counseill in these matieres.
1530. Palsgr., 424/1. I am cheife a [= of] counsayle with one je suis de son segret priué.
1530. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 89. And noon of them other to blame or off councell wt that lewed dede.
1535. Coverdale, Job xxxvii. 15. Art thou of councel with God?
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. John, 20 b. A thing priuie and of councel to his first fault.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 783. She was a [= of] counsaile with the Lorde Hastynges to destroy him.
1633. Ford, ’Tis Pity, V. vi. Say, fellow, know’st thou any yet unnam’d Of council in this incest?
1683. A. Snape, Anat. Horse, I. i. (1686), 69. Aristotle … was in his time thought to be the nearest of counsel to Nature.
1689. Tryal Bps., 3. This Writ was granted upon our Motion, who are of Councel for the King.
II. † 7. An assembly or body of advisers. Obs. Now COUNCIL 4 and 6 q.v.
1297. [see COUNCIL 6; also 4 and 6 for other quots.].
a. 1300. Cursor M., 24793 (Cott.). His consail badd him for to faand, þe king of danemerk wit saand.
c. 1305. Pilate, 38, in E. E. P. (1862), 112. He wolde him sle, ac his consail ne ȝaf him noȝt þerto.
1549. Coverdale, Erasm. Par., II. Ded. 1. The … wholesome advyce and ministerie, of your noble uncle and counsail.
† b. A single person with whom one consults or advises; a counsellor. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 289. I … tolde thee my wo As to my conseil and to my brother sworn.
1647. Ward, Simp. Cobler, 54. Will you follow your very worst Councell so farre, as to provoke your very best?
1654. Sir E. Nicholas, in N. Papers (Camden), II. 134. Lo. Digby was soe much the ablest Councell to the King.
8. A body of legal advisers, engaged in the direction or conduct of a cause. (Usually a collective plural, but sometimes treated as a numeral plural; formerly, in ‘to desire the benefit of counsel,’ ‘to be allowed counsel,’ etc., treated as a collective sing.: cf. quot. 1681.)
(In this sense erroneously stated in many legal text-books to be ‘an abbreviation of counsellor.’)
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 155. Help, that I hadde counseil here Upon the trouthe of my matere. And Julius with that anone Assigned him a worthy one.
1425. Paston Lett., No. 5, I. 20. I have, by advys of counseill in making a procuracie to yow.
1592. Greene, Art Conny Catch., II. 15. Carefull to see his counsell, and to ply his Atturney.
1642. Perkins, Prof. Bk., xi. 341. As shall bee devised by the Councell learned in the Law.
1666. Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 219. The Lords did insist that he should have Counsel, which the Commons would not suffer. Ibid., IV. 280. The second of our three Counsel was the best.
1681. Trial S. Colledge, 9. In Misdemeanour Councel is to be allowed for the Prisoner, but not in Treason.
1709. Calverley, in Yorksh. Diaries (Surtees), II. 122. Council for Mr. Hackett were lawyers Adams and Wickham … for Mr. Wilson … councils, Mr. Thornton of Leeds, and Mr. Rawson of Bradford.
1739. Cibber, Apol. (1756), II. 62. Two of the learned Council against us came afterwards to be successively Lord Chancellors.
1837. Penny Cycl., VIII. 106/2. The duty of counsel is to give advice in questions of law, and to manage causes for clients. They are styled common law, equity, or chamber counsel, according to the nature of the business they transact.
1883. Sir T. Martin, Ld. Lyndhurst, v. 139. The most formidable array of counsel that was ever banded together for a criminal prosecution.
b. as sing. (rarely with pl. counsels): A single legal adviser; a counsellor-at-law, advocate or barrister.
1709. [see prec.].
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 429. Because a Council of the other Side asserted it was coming down.
1789. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), III. 37. They have … charged one of their ablest counsels with the preparation of a memoir to establish this.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. xii. 99. An advocate … the first counsel in Edinburgh.
c. King’s (Queen’s) Counsel: barristers appointed (on the nomination of the lord-chancellor) counsel to the crown; they take precedence of ordinary barristers, and wear a silk instead of a stuff gown; also a member of this body. (Abbreviated K.C., Q.C.)
1689. Tryal Bps., 2. It is our Duty, who are the King’s Councel … to prosecute such kind of Offences.
1797. Wolfe Tone, Autobiog. (1828), 79. Two lawyers of great eminence … King’s Counsel.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., II. iii. 375. Queen’s Council or her Majesty’s Counsel … as servants of the Crown, must not be employed in any cause against its interest, without special license of the Crown, which is however never refused.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 11 Feb., 5/2. Mr. Lockwood, Q.C., defended.
9. Comb., as counsel-giver, -giving, -keeping; counsel-keeper, one who is entrusted with designs, secrets, etc., by another; a confidant.
1535. Coverdale, 2 Chron. xxii. 4. They were his councell geuers after his fathers death.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., II. iii. 24. And Curtain’d with a Counsaile-keeping Caue. Ibid. (1597), 2 Hen. IV., II. iv. 290. And looke whether the fierie Trigon … be not lisping to his Masters old Tables, his Note-Booke, his Councell-keeper?
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Abogacía, pleading, counsell giuing, the profession of an aduocate.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 476. She was not of … my counsell-keepers.
1828. C. Wordsworth, Chas. I., 246. That counsel-giving to the King.
