səˈlisə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English soliciten, from Middle French solliciter, soliciter to disturb, take care of (influenced in meaning by Latin sollicitus anxious), from Latin sollicitare to disturb, agitate, move, entreat, from sollicitus anxious, troubled, from sollus whole, entire (from Oscan; akin to Greek holos entire) + citus, past participle of ciēre to move — more at safe , hight
transitive verb
1. archaic
a. : to take charge or care of (as business) : manage , forward
b. : to act as solicitor or legal agent for or with reference to
2. archaic : to make anxious : disquiet , concern
3. : to make petition to : entreat , importune
solicit the king for relief
especially : to approach with a request or plea (as in selling or begging)
solicit one's neighbors for contributions
4. : to move to action : serve as an urge or incentive to : incite
5. : to strongly urge (as one's cause or point) : insist upon
6.
a. : to entice or lead astray by or as if by specious arguments : lure on and especially into evil
b. obsolete : to seek the favor of (a woman) usually for the purpose of seduction : attempt to seduce
c. : to accost (a man) for immoral purposes and usually in the character of a prostitute
7. : to endeavor to obtain by asking or pleading : plead for
solicit an office
solicit alms
also : to seek eagerly or actively
8. : to demand as a requisite : call for : require
the situation solicits the closest attention
9.
a.
(1) : to have an effect on (a person or thing) through some natural influence or property
(2) : to induce (as a phenomenon) by means of such influence or property
soliciting sparks by rubbing amber with flannel
b. : to seek to affect (as by moving, inducing, withdrawing) usually by mild or gentle means
solicit a bowel movement with a laxative
solicit an arrow gently and draw it from a wound
10. : to serve as a temptation or lure to : attract
that fruit … solicited her longing eye — John Milton
intransitive verb
1. : to make solicitation : importune , petition : as
a. : to beg alms
b. of a prostitute : to offer illicit intercourse to a man
2. : to serve as a solicitor
Synonyms: see ask