solicitude

[ suh-lis-i-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. the state of being solicitous; anxiety or concern.

   Synonyms: unease, apprehension, disquietude, care, worry

2. solicitudes, causes of anxiety or care.
3. an attitude expressing excessive attentiveness:

   to show great solicitude about his wife's health.

solicitude

/ səˈlɪsɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. the state or quality of being solicitous
2. often plural something that causes anxiety or concern
3. anxiety or concern

Other Words From

• self-so·lici·tude noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitude¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin sollicitūdō uneasiness of mind, derivative of sollicitus agitated. See solicit, -tude

Example Sentences

There was no doubt thought of his own loss in this question: yet there was, one may hope, a germ of solicitude for the mother too.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all else he did not want Winifred to know that solicitude in her behalf had drawn him from the path of duty.

From Project Gutenberg

Our solicitude was now required solely for Joe, whose head was too deeply buried to be exhumed with so much facility.

From Project Gutenberg

An offer which Jane received from a very honest, industrious, and thrifty jeweler, aroused anew a mother's maternal solicitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Then bending over Oliver, he helped to carry him up stairs with the care and solicitude of a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disquiet
• uneasiness