behest

[bih-hest]

See more synonyms for behest on Thesaurus.com

noun

a command or directive.
an earnest or strongly worded request.

Origin of behest

before 1000; Middle English bihest(e), Old English behǣs promise. See be-, hest

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. order, bidding, decree, dictate, mandate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for behest

Contemporary Examples

Jackson declined to comment on the case, saying it was at the behest of his lawyer.
Prof: MIT Hospitalized Me For Ferguson Tweets
Nina Strochlic
December 11, 2014
The pair were working at the behest of a human-rights organization called the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).
World Cup Watchdogs Go Missing in Qatar
Nina Strochlic
September 5, 2014
I explained I was in the country at the behest of the Department of State, as a kind of cultural ambassador.
GOP Hypocrisy: Outraged Over Benghazi, Silent on Iraq
Jay Parini
May 11, 2014
Or the time he ran and hid—at his mother's behest—during the Battle of the Blackwater.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal Wedding
Andrew Romano
April 14, 2014
The following day, Magnitsky was arrested at the behest of Lt. Col. Kuznetsov.
Moscow’s Long, Corrupt Money Trail
Michael Weiss
March 22, 2014

Historical Examples

"I'm no trunk to be shipped hither and thither at someone's behest," I said.
Secret Memoirs: The Story of Louise, Crown Princess
Henry W. Fischer
That was easily done; but what should be done as to the other behest?
Is He Popenjoy?
Anthony Trollope
And if ye give me my life, I will be your man and do your behest.'
King Arthur's Knights
Henry Gilbert
Such is the behest of Providence; there are compulsions linked to treason.
Napoleon the Little
Victor Hugo
To have died at your behest at the instant would have been as nothing.
The Fixed Period
Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for behest

behest

noun

an authoritative order or earnest request

Word Origin

Old English behǣs, from behātan; see be-, hest

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for behest

n.

Old English behæs "a vow," perhaps from behatan "to promise" (from be- + hatan "command, call;" see cite) and confused with obsolete hest "command," which may account for the parasitic -t as well as the Middle English shift in meaning to "command, injunction" (late 12c.).

behest

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Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for behest

Contemporary Examples

Jackson declined to comment on the case, saying it was at the behest of his lawyer.

The pair were working at the behest of a human-rights organization called the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).

I explained I was in the country at the behest of the Department of State, as a kind of cultural ambassador.

Or the time he ran and hid—at his mother's behest—during the Battle of the Blackwater.

The following day, Magnitsky was arrested at the behest of Lt. Col. Kuznetsov.

Historical Examples

"I'm no trunk to be shipped hither and thither at someone's behest," I said.

That was easily done; but what should be done as to the other behest?

And if ye give me my life, I will be your man and do your behest.'

Such is the behest of Providence; there are compulsions linked to treason.

To have died at your behest at the instant would have been as nothing.

behest

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for behest

n.

Origin of behest