WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : So*lic"it
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [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.]
Definition : 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. [Obs.] 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.

Syn. To beseech; ask; request; crave; supplicate; entreat; beg; implore; importune. See Beseech.

t. [imp. & p. p. Solicited; p. pr. & vb. n. Soliciting.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913