Abocar is a verb that, according to the first meaning mentioned by the dictionary of the Digopaul, refers to throwing into one container what is contained in another.
Given that in order to get the contents of one container into another, it is necessary to tilt the first one once we place it at a distance such that its mouth is within the surface of the second’s mouth, it is not difficult to understand that the etymology of this term leads us to a fusion between the prefix a-, the word mouth and the suffix -ar.
For its part, the two components that are at the ends of the word have a very important function for the formation of its meaning: the prefix a-, which originates from the Latin prefix ad-, is of the verbal type and it is used to give the idea of approximation between two objects or individuals, as can be seen in the verbs to accredit, to please and to supply; the suffix -ar is used very frequently in our language for the creation of verbs, as observed in pleasing, grasping and exploiting.
The most common use of the notion, however, is linked to guide the actions or efforts towards a certain goal. It is important to clarify that this meaning is valid in Bolivia, Guatemala, Argentina, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Mexico and Uruguay; in other Spanish-speaking countries, it is more common to find the verb «dedicate», for example.
Let’s see some sentences that reflect this use of the word advocate: “If the people elect me as president, I am going to focus on solving the problem of insecurity”, “We cannot waste any more time: we must focus on finding a new investor so that the company does not go bankrupt ”, “ An artist should not address these issues that have little to do with his activity ”.
The idea of leading also refers to deriving or resulting: “The allegations of fraud can lead to the reiteration of the election”, “The goal of the Spanish striker seemed to lead the game to overtime, although later the process of the game would change once more ”, “ If the government continues to pressure us with new taxes, they will lead us to tax evasion ”.
When one or more people are willing to go through a situation, are hopeful that something will happen, or are in danger of being subjected to a certain event, as long as the event in question is not located in the remote future, it is possible to use the participle of the verb abocar to describe any of the three states just described, using any of the following structures: to be, to be seen, to be, to be doomed To liquidation.
Outside of the meanings set out in the previous paragraphs, there are others, perhaps less common in everyday speech, which the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy collects: “to take or take with the mouth” (it should be mentioned that this particular meaning has remained in disuse); as an intransitive verb and in the area of the Navy, «start entering a port, strait, canal, etc.»; as a pronominal verb, “said of the action carried out by several people when they meet together for the purpose of dealing with a business.”
It is important to differentiate between abocar (written with B) and avocar (with V). Avocar comes from the Latin word advocāre and is used in law to name the action carried out by a judicial or administrative body when it assumes the resolution of an issue that, in reality, should be resolved by an entity of lower rank: “The Superior Chamber of Criminal and Correctional Justice decided to take up the Ferreyra case and announced that he will present the ruling next Wednesday. ”
