† ˈavocate, 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. |