solicitation

Everyday

1. A solicitation is a request asking someone for money, help, business or support (formal). tree →
2. Solicitation is the act of asking for something, like donations or votes (formal). tree →
3. (law) Solicitation is also the crime of asking or urging someone to do something illegal. tree →

In the lessons

This is a stiff word met in letters, notices, law and exam texts. A sign saying «No solicitation» means salespeople and collectors must not knock or ask. In money lessons a solicitation for donations is a request from a charity. Phrases: solicitation of funds, no solicitation, a solicitation letter.

Examples

• The charity sent a solicitation for donations. tree →
• The sign on the gate says «No solicitation». tree →
• The school refused solicitations from companies selling sweets. tree →
• He ignored the solicitation in his email. tree →
• Solicitation of votes inside the polling station is not allowed. tree →
• In law, solicitation means urging someone to commit a crime. tree →
• At his solicitation she restored to his companions their human form, promising at the same time that henceforth the hero and his comrades should be free from her enchantments. tree →

Note

Formal word; the verb is «solicit» and something not asked for is «unsolicited». Do not confuse with «solicitor», a kind of lawyer (UK, Ireland, Australia). Countable when it means one request; uncountable for the activity.