約於公元1200年,指“給予的建議或指導”; 約於公元1300年,指“相互建議或意見交流,商議”,源自於古法語 counseil “建議,勸告; 思考,考慮”(10世紀),源自於拉丁語 consilium “計劃,意見”,由 com “與,一起”(見 con-)和 calare “宣佈,召喚”的詞根組成(源自於 PIE 詞根 *kele-(2)“喊叫”)。作爲“律師,提供法律建議的人”的同義詞,最早見於14世紀晚期。
The distinction of form and sense (councilor, one of a council, counselor, one who counsels) is modern; there is no OF. or L. form corresponding to councilor (L. as if *conciliarius) as distinguished from counselor (L. consiliarius). [Century Dictionary]