Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An advisory group regularly gives suggestions and help to people or organizations, especially about a particular subject or area of activity. [FORMAL ] □  …members of the advisory committee on the safety of nuclear installations.

2 N‑COUNT An advisory is an official announcement or report that warns people about bad weather, diseases, or other dangers or problems. [AM ] □  26 states have issued health advisories.

ad|vo|ca|cy /æ dvəkəsi/

1 N‑SING Someone's advocacy of a particular action or plan is their act of recommending it publicly. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] I support your advocacy of free trade.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] An advocacy group or organization is one that tries to influence the decisions of a government or other authority. [AM ]

ad|vo|cate ◆◇◇ (advocates , advocating , advocated ) The verb is pronounced /æ dvəke I t/. The noun is pronounced /æ dvəkət/. 1 VERB If you advocate a particular action or plan, you recommend it publicly. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Mr Williams is a conservative who advocates fewer government controls on business. □ [V -ed] …the tax policy advocated by the Opposition.

2 N‑COUNT An advocate of a particular action or plan is someone who recommends it publicly. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He was a strong advocate of free market policies and a multi-party system.

3 N‑COUNT An advocate is a lawyer who speaks in favour of someone or defends them in a court of law. [LEGAL ]

4 N‑COUNT An advocate for a particular group is a person who works for the interests of that group. [AM ] □ [+ for ] …advocates for the homeless.

5 → see also devil's advocate SYNONYMS advocate VERB 1

recommend:We strongly recommend reporting the incident to the police.

support:They support a total ban on imported coal

champion:The amendments had been championed by pro-democracy activists.

encourage:Their task is to help encourage private investment in Russia. NOUN 2

supporter:Bradley was a major supporter of the 1986 tax reform plan.

champion:He was once known as a champion of social reform.

proponent:Halsey was a leading proponent of the values of progressive education.

aegis /iː dʒ I s/ PHRASE Something that is done under the aegis of a person or organization is done with their official support and backing. [FORMAL ] □  The space programme will continue under the aegis of the armed forces.

aeon /iː ɒn/ (aeons ) in AM, use eon N‑COUNT An aeon is an extremely long period of time. □  Aeons ago, there were deserts where there is now fertile land.

aer|ate /eə re I t/ (aerates , aerating , aerated ) VERB To aerate a substance means to cause air or gas to pass through it. □ [V n] Aerate the soil by spiking with a fork.

aer|ial /eə riəl/ (aerials )

1 ADJ [ADJ n] You talk about aerial attacks and aerial photographs to indicate that people or things on the ground are attacked or photographed by people in aeroplanes. □  Weeks of aerial bombardment had destroyed factories and highways.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use aerial to describe things that exist or happen above the ground or in the air. □  The seagulls swirled in aerial combat over the barges.

3 N‑COUNT An aerial is a device or a piece of wire that receives television or radio signals and is usually attached to a radio, television, car, or building. [BRIT ] □  …the radio aerials of taxis and cars. in AM, use antenna

aerie /e ri/ → see eyrie

PREFIX aero-