solicit

verb

invite others to a desired action; to request

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /səˈlɪsɪt/

noun

Etymology: From Middle English soliciten, solliciten, from Old French soliciter, solliciter, borrowed from Latin sollicitō (“stir, disturb; look after”), from sollicitus (“agitated, anxious, punctilious”, literally “thoroughly moved”), from sollus (“whole, entire”) + perfect passive participle of cieō (“shake, excite, cite, to put in motion”).

Solicitation.
“(1) How many male or female students are named (or otherwise identified) in the context of a solicit? (2) How many words of a solicit are directed to a particular student?”

verb

To persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event.
“to solicit alms, or a favour”
“I view my crime, but kindle at the view, Repent old pleasures, and solicit new. Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?”
To woo; to court.
“American railroads are not permitted to operate long-haul road routes, but the I.C.C. decision of 1954 did permit them to solicit trailer business in, say, New York for Chicago provided the trailer was piggybacked in between.”
To persuade or incite one to commit some act, especially illegal or sexual behavior.
“That fruit […] sollicited her longing eye.”
“Sounds and some tangible qualities fail not to solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.”
To offer to perform sexual activity, especially when for a payment.
“My girlfriend tried to solicit me for sex, but I was tired.”
To make a petition.
To disturb or trouble; to harass.
To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to.
“Should My brother henceforth study to forget The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever Solicit thy deserts.”
To disturb; to disquiet.
“1611-1615, George Chapman, Iliad, Book XVI Hath any ill solicited thine ears?”
“But anxious fears solicit my weak breast.”