Consulters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who seek advice or guidance from another person, often for expert opinions or specialized knowledge
2. People who consult professionals in various fields for important decisions or information
3. Those who engage in discussions with advisors to obtain insights or recommendations on specific issues

Etymology: "Consulters" is the plural of "consulter," formed from the verb "consult" and the agent suffix "-er." "Consult" came into English in the 1500s (the earliest uses date to around the 1530s) from the French "consulter," which in turn came from the Latin "consultare," a frequentative of "consulere," "to deliberate, take counsel, or ask advice." The Latin verb's deeper sense of consideration is clear in the word's history: to consult was originally to deliberate together, and only later came to mean seeking an opinion from someone else. The "-er" suffix is ordinary English, attached to a verb to name the person who performs the action, as in "reader" or "trader." The plural "consulters" simply adds the standard "-s." The noun is uncommon, and most English speakers would describe such people as "consultants" or "people seeking advice," but the formation is entirely regular.

Synonyms: advisers, consultants, counselors