solicit

so·lic·it

verb \sə-ˈli-sət\

Definition of SOLICIT

transitive verb

1

a : to make petition to : entreat b : to approach with a request or plea <solicited Congress for funding>

2

: to urge (as one's cause) strongly

3

a : to entice or lure especially into evil b : to proposition (someone) especially as or in the character of a prostitute

4

: to try to obtain by usually urgent requests or pleas <solicited donations>

intransitive verb

1

: to make solicitation : importune

2

of a prostitute : to offer to have sexual relations with someone for money

Examples of SOLICIT

1. The center is soliciting donations to help victims of the earthquake.
2. The company is soliciting bids from various firms.
3. The organization is soliciting new memberships.
4. The newspaper's editors want to solicit opinions from readers.
5. The organization is soliciting for donations.
6. Special interest groups are soliciting Congress for funds.
7. The prostitutes were arrested for soliciting customers.

Origin of SOLICIT

Middle English, to disturb, promote, from Anglo-French solliciter, from Latin sollicitare to disturb, from sollicitus anxious, from sollus whole (from Oscan; akin to Greek holos whole) + citus, past participle of ciēre to move — more at safe, -kinesis

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SOLICIT

Synonyms: interview, poll, canvass, survey

Related Words: circularize; interrogate, question; feel (out), sound (out)

Near Antonyms: report

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See Synonym Discussion at ask

Rhymes with SOLICIT

complicit, elicit, explicit, illicit, implicit