English Explanatory Dictionary

attorney general

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The chief legal advisor to the government, overseeing legal affairs and ensuring that laws are uniformly and justly applied.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-attorney general.wav

Word forms

attorney general attorneys general attorney generals Attorney-General

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman and Law French, (modern French avocat général or procureur général), hence the unusual order of adjective following noun, instead of idiomatic English *general attorney. Compare court martial, notary public, secretary general, surgeon general.

Synonyms

AG Atty. Gen.

Related words

general counsel secretary general solicitor general surgeon general

Derived words

private attorney general
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