Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer or petition: An intercessor is someone who pleads or makes a request in favor of another person.
   • A mediator or negotiator who acts as a link between parties: An intercessor serves as an intermediary to facilitate communication or reconciliation between two or more parties, often in a dispute.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In many religions, a saint is seen as an intercessor between humanity and the divine.
  • During the labor dispute, she acted as an intercessor between the union and the management.
  • He served as an intercessor, conveying the community's concerns to the local government.

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Diplomatic Context: An intercessor may formally mediate in legal or diplomatic conflicts.
  • The ambassador was asked to be an intercessor in the peace talks.
• Theological Context: Refers to a figure who makes intercessory prayers.
  • The priest is considered an intercessor for the congregation.

Variants and Related Words

• Intercession (n): The action of intervening or mediating on behalf of another.
  • Her intercession helped resolve the argument.
• Intercessory (adj): Having the function of interceding.
  • They offered intercessory prayers.

Synonyms

• Mediator: A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement.
• Intermediary: A person who acts as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement.
• Advocate: A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy; in some contexts, one who pleads for another.
• Go-between: An intermediary or negotiator.

Related Phrases

• To act as an intercessor: To perform the role of a mediator.
  • She agreed to act as an intercessor in the sensitive negotiations.

Related Idioms

• Stand in the gap: To act as an intercessor or defender for someone who is vulnerable. (This idiom has a strong connotation of protection and pleading).
  • When the community was in crisis, local leaders stood in the gap for them.

Noun

1. a negotiator who acts as a link between parties