The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lawyer \Law"yer\, n. [From Law, like bowyer, fr. bow.]
One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and obligations in other matters. It is a general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, sergeants, and advocates.
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(Zo["o]l.)
The black-necked stilt. See Stilt.
The bowfin ( Amia calva).
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The burbot ( Lota maculosa).
Philadelphia lawyer, A lawyer knowledgeable about the most detailed and minute points of law, especially one with an exceptional propensity and ability to exploit fine technical points of law for the client's advantage.
Wikipedia
Philadelphia Lawyer is a term to describe a lawyer who knows the most detailed and minute points of law or is an exceptionally competent lawyer. Its first known usage dates back to 1788. Alternatively, a usage dating to the second half of the 20th century denotes "the ultimate in crooked lawyers".
Philadelphia-based Colonial American lawyer Andrew Hamilton, a lawyer best known for his legal victory on behalf of printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger, is believed to have inspired the "Philadelphia lawyer" term. This 1735 decision helped to establish that truth is a defense to an accusation of libel.
Usage examples of "philadelphia lawyer".
Mary Coxe's sister married Horace Binney, the eminent Philadelphia lawyer.
I've already approved the way she worded it and read it back into her and told her to place it in her permanents with a 'bind' on it-it 'ud take a Philadelphia lawyer to diddle you out of your inheritance now-though no doubt one could.
A Philadelphia lawyer could likely make a case for the joint sort of squatting on an Indian or military reservation.