v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Solicited; p. pr. & vb. n. Soliciting. ] [ F. sollicier, L. sollicitare, solicitare, -atum, fr. sollicitus wholly (i. e., violently) moved; sollus whole + citus, p. p. of ciere to move, excite. See Solemn, Cite. ] 1. To ask from with earnestness; to make petition to; to apply to for obtaining something; as, to solicit person for alms. [ 1913 Webster ]

Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To endeavor to obtain; to seek; to plead for; as, to solicit an office; to solicit a favor. [ 1913 Webster ]

I view my crime, but kindle at the view,
Repent old pleasures, and solicit new. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To awake or excite to action; to rouse desire in; to summon; to appeal to; to invite. [ 1913 Webster ]

That fruit . . . solicited her longing eye. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Should
My brother henceforth study to forget
The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever
Solicit thy deserts. Ford. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To disturb; to disquiet; -- a Latinism rarely used. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hath any ill solicited thine ears? Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

But anxious fears solicit my weak breast. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. To beseech; ask; request; crave; supplicate; entreat; beg; implore; importune. See Beseech. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.[ L. sollicitans, p. pr. ] One who solicits. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Solicitous. [ Obs. ] Eden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. sollicitation, or L. sollicitatio. ] 1. The act of soliciting; earnest request; persistent asking; importunity. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Excitement; invitation; as, the solicitation of the senses. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. solliciteur, L. sollicitator. ] 1. One who solicits. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) (a) An attorney or advocate; one who represents another in court; -- formerly, in English practice, the professional designation of a person admitted to practice in a court of chancery or equity. See the Note under Attorney. (b) The law officer of a city, town, department, or government; as, the city solicitor; the solicitor of the treasury. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The second law officer in the government of Great Britain; also, a similar officer under the United States government, who is associated with the attorney-general; also, the chief law officer of some of the States. [ 1913 Webster ]

a.[ L. sollicitus, solicitus. See Solicit, v. t. ] Disposed to solicit; eager to obtain something desirable, or to avoid anything evil; concerned; anxious; careful. “Solicitous of my reputation.” Dryden. “He was solicitous for his advice.” Calerendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enjoy the present, whatsoever it be, and be not solicitous about the future. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The colonel had been intent upon other things, and not enough solicitous to finish the fortifications. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- So*lic"it*ous*ly, adv. -- So*lic"it*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who solicits. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. sollicitude, r L. sollicitudo. ] The state of being solicitous; uneasiness of mind occasioned by fear of evil or desire good; anxiety. [ 1913 Webster ]

The many cares and great labors of worldly men, their solicitude and outward shows. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mother looked at her with fond solicitude. G. W. Cable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Carefulness; concern; anxiety. See Care. [ 1913 Webster ]