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solicit

American  
[suh-lis-it] / səˈlɪs ɪt /

verb (used with object)

  1. to seek for (something) by entreaty, earnest or respectful request, formal application, etc..

    He solicited aid from the minister.

  2. to entreat or petition (someone or some agency).

    to solicit the committee for funds.

    Synonyms:
    beg, beseech
  3. to seek to influence or incite to action, especially unlawful or wrong action.

    Synonyms:
    provoke, arouse, excite
  4. to offer to have sex with in exchange for money.


verb (used without object)

  1. to make a petition or request, as for something desired.

  2. to solicit orders or trade, as for a business.

    No soliciting allowed in this building.

  3. to offer to have sex with someone in exchange for money.

solicit British  
/ səˈlɪsɪt /

verb

  1. to make a request, application, or entreaty to (a person for business, support, etc)

  2. to accost (a person) with an offer of sexual relations in return for money

  3. to provoke or incite (a person) to do something wrong or illegal

"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

Other Word Forms

  • presolicit verb (used with object)
  • resolicit verb
  • solicitation noun
  • supersolicit verb

Etymology

Origin of solicit

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English soliciten, from Middle French solliciter, from Latin sollicitāre “to excite, agitate,” derivative of sollicitus “troubled” ( soll(us) “whole” + -i- -i- + citus, past participle of ciēre “to arouse”)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Navy began soliciting bids Wednesday for the vessel-construction manager that would oversee the two shipbuilders and decide the best strategy for buying additional landing ships.

From The Wall Street Journal

I might have leaned in already on Ancora’s side if, after soliciting my interest, it had bothered to answer my outreach.

From The Wall Street Journal

The DOJ filed the suit the day after purportedly soliciting Moncla’s materials, the activists said.

From Salon

If you think I had to read 27 things on the internet and solicit five chatbots before typing that, you’re right, and I probably still messed it up.

From The Wall Street Journal

This announcement is intended to share information about Keck Medicine's research involvement and is not soliciting participants.

From Science Daily