Devil's Advocate Definition

dĕvəlz
noun
A person who upholds what is regarded as the wrong side or an indefensible cause, perversely or for argument's sake.
Webster's New World
An official selected to examine the facts critically and raise objections in the case of a dead person named for beatification or canonization.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Devil's Advocate

Noun

Singular:
devil's advocate
Plural:
devil-s-advocates

Origin of Devil's Advocate

  • Translation of Medieval Latin advocātus diabolī one arguing for the devil's plea against canonizing a saint Latin advocātus advocate Late Latin diabolī genitive of diabolus devil

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From devil's advocate, a calque of Latin advocātus diabolī (“the devil’s advocate”).

    From Wiktionary

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