solicit

Verb
Synonyms: begtapwoocourtromancehookaccost

WordNet 3.0

Verb (5)

  1. make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently“Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce”“My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities”Synonyms: begtap
  2. make amorous advances towards“John is courting Mary”Synonyms: woocourtromance
  3. approach with an offer of sexual favors“he was solicited by a prostitute”“The young man was caught soliciting in the park”Synonyms: hookaccost
  4. incite, move, or persuade to some act of lawlessness or insubordination“He was accused of soliciting his colleagues to destroy the documents”
  5. make a solicitation or petition for something desired“She is too shy to solicit”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Solicit \So*lic"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Solicited; p. pr. & vb. n. Soliciting.] [F. sollicier, L. sollicitare, solicitare, -atum, fr. sollicitus wholly (i. e., violently) moved; sollus whole + citus, p. p. of ciere to move, excite. See Solemn, Cite.]

1.To ask from with earnestness; to make petition to; to apply to for obtaining something; as, to solicit person for alms. [1913 Webster]

Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.To endeavor to obtain; to seek; to plead for; as, to solicit an office; to solicit a favor. [1913 Webster]

I view my crime, but kindle at the view, Repent old pleasures, and solicit new.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

3.To awake or excite to action; to rouse desire in; to summon; to appeal to; to invite. [1913 Webster]

That fruit . . . solicited her longing eye.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

4.To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Should My brother henceforth study to forget The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever Solicit thy deserts.— Ford.[1913 Webster]

5.To disturb; to disquiet; -- a Latinism rarely used. [1913 Webster]

Hath any ill solicited thine ears?— Chapman.[1913 Webster]
But anxious fears solicit my weak breast.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Syn. To beseech; ask; request; crave; supplicate; entreat; beg; implore; importune. See Beseech. [1913 Webster]

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