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Webster 1913 Edition

Solicit

So-lic′it

,
Verb.
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
.
Did I
solicit
thee
From darkness to promote me?
Milton.
2.
To endeavor to obtain; to seek; to plead for;
as, to
solicit
an office; to
solicit
a favor
.
I view my crime, but kindle at the view,
Repent old pleasures, and
solicit
new.
Pope.
3.
To awake or excite to action; to rouse desire in; to summon; to appeal to; to invite.
That fruit . . .
solicited
her longing eye.
Milton.
Sounds and some tangible qualities
solicit
their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.
Locke.
4.
To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to.
[Obs.]
Should
My brother henceforth study to forget
The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever
Solicit
thy deserts.
Ford.
5.
To disturb; to disquiet; – a Latinism rarely used.
Hath any ill
solicited
thine ears?
Chapman.
But anxious fears
solicit
my weak breast.
Dryden.
Syn. To beseech; ask; request; crave; supplicate; entreat; beg; implore; importune. See
Beseech
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Solicit

SOLIC'IT

,
Verb.
T.
[L. solicito. I know not whether this word is somple or compound; probably the latter.]
1.
To ask with some degree of earnestness; to make petition to; to apply to for obtaining something. This word implies earnestness in seeking, but I think less earnestness in seeking, but I tinks less earnestness than beg, implore, entreat. and importune, and more than ask or request; as when we say, a man solicits the minister for an office; he solicits his father for a favor. Did I solicit thee form darkness to promote me?
2.
TO ask for with some degree of earnestness; to seek by petition; as, to solicit an office; to solicit a favor.
3.
To awake or excite to action; to summon; to invite. That fruit solicited her longing eye. Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.
4.
To attempt; to try to obtain. I view my crime, but kindle at the view, repeat old pleasures and solicit nes.
5.
TO disturb; to disquiet; a Latinism rarely used. But anxious fears solicit my weak breast.

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