Solicit
/səˈlɪs.ɪt/noun
To ask for or try to obtain something from someone.
Did you know?The word 'solicit' traces back to a time when it was linked to spiritual requests, hinting at the power of persuasion and desire in both mundane and mystical realms.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sol-
“to loosen, free, or release”
Latin
Latin
sollicitare
“to agitate, disturb, or provoke”
Latin
Latin
sollicitus
“worried, anxious, or troubled”
Old French
Old French
soliciter
“to urge, incite, or seek”
15th Century
Middle English
soliciten
“to ask, plead, or request formally”
Modern English
English
solicit
“to request or seek something, often with a sense of urgency or insistence.”
Explore more surprising origins