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solicit

1. To ask from with earnestness; to make petition to; to apply to for obtaining something; as, to solicit person for alms. Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me? (milton)

2. To endeavor to obtain; to seek; to plead for; as, to solicit an office; to solicit a favor. I view my crime, but kindle at the view, repent old pleasures, and solicit new. (pope)

3. To awake or excite to action; to rouse desire in; to summon; to appeal to; to invite. That fruit . . . Solicited her longing eye. (milton) Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind. (locke)

4. To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to. Should My brother henceforth study to forget The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever Solicit thy deserts. (Ford)

5. To disturb; to disquiet; a Latinism rarely used. Hath any ill solicited thine ears? (Chapman) But anxious fears solicit my weak breast. (Dryden)

Synonym: To beseech, ask, request, crave, supplicate, entreat, beg, implore, importune. See Beseech.

Origin: F. Sollicier, L. Sollicitare, solicitare, -atum, fr. Sollicitus wholly (i. E, violently) moved; sollus whole _ citus, p. P. Of ciere to move, excite. See Solemn, Cite.