v. Obs. [f. L. āvocāt- ppl. stem of āvocāre to call off or away, f. ā, ab, off + vocāre to call. In sense 2 f. F. avoquer, later advoquer, ad. L. advocāre: see ADVOKE, ADVOCATE v.1]
1. To call away, withdraw, distract, divert (from).
1543. Becon, David’s Harp, Wks. (1843), 266. Whereby they might be avocated and called away from sin.
1641. Prynne, Antip., Ep. 14. Temporall meanes, & honour … avocate and hinder them from preaching.
1752. Shenstone, Wks. & Lett., III. 192. I have avocated my thoughts, and fixed them for a while upon common amusements.
2. To call to a higher tribunal; = ADVOCATE v.1 2.
1649. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII., 259 (T.). Seeing now all proceeding in England inhibited, the cause avocated to Rome, Campegius recalled.
1679. Burnet, Hist. Ref., 120. Must avocate the business to be heard in the court of Rome.
