I. ə̇n.ˈtrēt, en.- usu -ēd.+V verb
Etymology: Middle English entreten, from Middle French entraitier to treat of, from en- en- (I) + traitier to treat — more at treat
transitive verb
1. archaic : to treat or conduct oneself toward : deal with : use
all those knights … she foully doth entreat — Edmund Spenser
2. : to ask earnestly : petition or supplicate urgently : beg for
entreat him to hold his revengeful hand — L.M.Montgomery
entreated permission to introduce his friend — Jane Austen
I must … entreat both the patience and attention of the reader — Adam Smith
3. obsolete
a. : to beseech or supplicate successfully : prevail upon by pleading : persuade
b. : to make a concern of : occupy or be occupied with
intransitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to negotiate especially for a treaty
b. : treat , discourse
in those old times of which I do entreat — Edmund Spenser
2. : to make an earnest petition or request : plead
accustomed to command, not to entreat — Willa Cather
Synonyms: see beg
II. noun
obsolete : entreaty