Advocatus Diaboli
/ad.voˈkaː.tus diˈa.bo.liː/noun
A person appointed to argue against a proposal, especially by identifying weaknesses or objections.
Did you know?The Catholic Church formally used the title Advocatus Diaboli for the official who challenged evidence during canonization proceedings, helping prevent unsubstantiated claims of sainthood.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wekʷ-
“To speak or utter words; the ancestral root behind Latin vocāre, “to call.””
Classical Latin
Latin
advocātus
“A person called in to assist, especially a legal counselor or advocate; literally, one called to someone’s side.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
diábolos
“Slanderer or accuser; from diabállein, literally “to throw across” and figuratively “to attack through accusation.””
Late Latin
Latin
diabolus
“The Devil or Satan, borrowed from Greek diábolos through religious vocabulary.”
16th Century
Church Latin
advocatus diaboli
““Advocate of the Devil,” the title popularly applied to the official who argued against a candidate’s canonization.”
17th Century
English
devil’s advocate
“A person who deliberately presents objections or an opposing case, even if they do not personally hold it.”
Modern English
English
devil’s advocate
“Someone who challenges an idea by arguing the contrary position to test its strength.”