solicit
[ suh-lis-it ]
/ səˈlɪs ɪt /
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verb (used with object)
to seek for (something) by entreaty, earnest or respectful request, formal application, etc.: He solicited aid from the minister.
to entreat or petition (someone or some agency): to solicit the committee for funds.
to seek to influence or incite to action, especially unlawful or wrong action.
to offer to have sex with in exchange for money.
verb (used without object)
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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”)
OTHER WORDS FROM solicit
pre·so·lic·it, verb (used with object)re·so·lic·it, verbsu·per·so·lic·it, verbun·so·lic·it·ed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for solicit
British Dictionary definitions for solicit
solicit
/ (səˈlɪsɪt) /
verb -its, -iting or -ited
(when intr, foll by for) to make a request, application, or entreaty to (a person for business, support, etc)
to accost (a person) with an offer of sexual relations in return for money
to provoke or incite (a person) to do something wrong or illegal
Derived forms of solicit
solicitation, nounWord Origin for solicit
C15: from Old French solliciter to disturb, from Latin sollicitāre to harass, from sollicitus agitated, from sollus whole + citus, from ciēre to excite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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