LAW'YER, noun [that is lawer, contracted from law-wer, law-man.] One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to institute suits in courts of law, and to prosecute or defend the cause of clients. this is a general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, serjeants and advocates.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI