| solicit | 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. "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) Synonym: To beseech, ask, request, crave, supplicate, entreat, beg, implore, importune. See Beseech. Origin: 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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