solicit

Everyday

1. (formal) To ask for something such as money, help or opinions, especially politely or officially. tree →
2. (formal) To try to get business or customers. tree →
3. (law) To ask someone in a public place for something illegal, which adults are forbidden to do. tree →

In the lessons

In formal letters and news: «The school solicited donations», «The council solicited residents' opinions». On signs: «No soliciting» means no selling door to door or asking for money here. In law it can mean asking for something illegal. Phrases: «solicit donations», «solicit feedback», «no soliciting».

Examples

• The charity solicited donations for the flood victims. tree →
• The teacher solicited our ideas for the class trip. tree →
• The sign on the door said «No soliciting». tree →
• The council solicited opinions from people in the town. tree →
• It is against the rules to solicit money in the school car park. tree →
• The shop solicited feedback from its customers. tree →

Note

Regular verb: solicited, soliciting (no doubled letters). Related: «solicitor» (in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ: a kind of lawyer). «Solicit» is formal; everyday words: «ask for», «request». «Unsolicited» = not asked for (unsolicited advice).

In Jewish tradition

In Ezekiel it means to approach someone and ask for a wicked bargain, here for unfaithful love.

Interpretation. Ezekiel uses the picture to show that Jerusalem was unfaithful to God, even worse than other nations.

Examples

• And the contrary is in thee from other women, in that thou didst solicit to harlotry, and wast not solicited; and in that thou givest hire, and no hire is given unto thee, thus thou art contrary. (Prophets EZK.16.34, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: solicited, soliciting (no doubled letters). Related: «solicitor» (in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ: a kind of lawyer). «Solicit» is formal; everyday words: «ask for», «request». «Unsolicited» = not asked for (unsolicited advice).