Consultants

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who render professional advice based on their expertise in various sectors
2. People who provide specialized guidance and recommendations in specific fields
3. Experts who give advice to help solve problems or improve performance in different areas

Etymology: The plural here is "consultants," the form of "consultant," so the real story is in the singular. "Consultant" came into English from French, where "consultant" was the present participle of "consulter," meaning to take counsel. That French verb descends from Latin "consultare," meaning to deliberate or consider together, which was itself a frequentative of "consulere," to ask advice or reflect upon something. Behind that Latin lies "com-," meaning "together," joined to a root whose origin is uncertain. The sense of gathering minds to weigh a question is built into the word from the start. A consultant was originally someone you would turn to for deliberation, and the modern professional who advises for a fee inherits that idea of seeking counsel.

Synonyms: advisors, counselors, specialists, experts, guides