solicitation

[suh-lis-i-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of soliciting.

2. entreaty, urging, or importunity; a petition or request.

3. enticement or allurement.

4. Law.

   1. the crime of asking another to commit or to aid in a crime.

   2. the act of a prostitute soliciting in a public place.

Other Word Forms

• nonsolicitation noun
• presolicitation noun
• resolicitation noun
• supersolicitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitation¹

First recorded in 1485–95; from Latin sollicitātiōn-, stem of sollicitātiō, from sollicitāt(us) “agitated, worried” (past participle of sollicitāre “to excite, agitate, worry”; solicit ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Prosecutors had sought an arrest warrant for Han on four charges including improper solicitation and graft, and occupational embezzlement.

From BBC

Disclosing the report now, officials contended, “would prejudice the prospective seismic retrofit project solicitation process.”

From Los Angeles Times

In August, USA Today reported that ICE sent an email solicitation to deputies nationwide, leading the head of the National Sheriff’s Assn. to call the move “either galactically stupid or purposefully malicious.”

From Los Angeles Times

Housing Department, and it’s the largest solicitation in the department’s history.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the measure is needed, the lawmakers said, because there are no rules that specifically target solicitation of gifts or payments by individuals and companies to try to curry favor with the president.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• application 
• bid 
• call 
• claim 
• demand 
• overture 
• petition 
• plea 
• proposal 
• question 
• suit