n.
Pronunciation: bi- ' hest, b ē -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, promise, command, from Old English beh ǣ s promise, from beh ā tan to promise, from be- + h ā tan to command, promise ― more at HIGHT
Date: 12th century
1 : an authoritative order : COMMAND
2 : an urgent prompting <called at the behest of my friends>