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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.

Definition 2024


solicit

solicit

English

Verb

solicit (third-person singular simple present solicits, present participle soliciting, simple past and past participle solicited)

  1. To persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event.
    to solicit alms, or a favour
    • Alexander Pope
      I view my crime, but kindle at the view, / Repent old pleasures, and solicit new.
      Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?
  2. To woo; to court.
  3. To persuade or incite one to commit some act, especially illegal or sexual behavior.
    • Milton
      That fruit [] solicited her longing eye.
    • Locke
      Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.
    If you want to lose your virginity, you should try to solicit some fine looking women.
  4. To offer to perform sexual activity, especially when for a payment.
    My girlfriend tried to solicit me for sex, but I was tired.
  5. To make a petition.
  6. (archaic) To disturb or trouble; to harass.
  7. To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to.
    • Ford
      Should / My brother henceforth study to forget / The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever / Solicit thy deserts.
  8. (obsolete, rare) To disturb; to disquiet.
    • Chapman
      Hath any ill solicited thine ears?
    • Dryden
      But anxious fears solicit my weak breast.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

External links

  • solicit in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • solicit in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams