Main Entry:

so·lic·it

Pronunciation:

\sə-ˈli-sət\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

15th century

transitive verb1 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) strongly3 a: to entice or lure especially into evil b: to proposition (someone) especially as or in the character of a prostitute4: to try to obtain by usually urgent requests or pleas <solicited donations>intransitive verb1: to make solicitation : importune2of a prostitute : to offer to have sexual relations with someone for money

synonyms see ask