Hest
/hɛst/noun
An archaic noun meaning a command, order, or behest.
Did you know?Hest is closely related to Old English command-words and survives most visibly inside the modern word “behest,” meaning an authoritative request or order.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*k̑eH- / *keh₂-
“A reconstructed root associated with calling or commanding; the precise relationship is debated in some Germanic etymologies.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*haitiz
“A command, order, or bidding.”
Old English
OE
hǣs
“A command, injunction, or authoritative order.”
Middle English
ME
hest
“A command or bidding; also used in the compound behest.”
Modern English
English
hest
“An archaic word for a command or order, now chiefly encountered in literary or historical writing.”