Obs. Also 6–7 solicitat, sollicitate. [f. ppl. stem of L. sōl-, sollicitāre.]
1. trans. To manage or conduct.
1547. Bp. Hooper, Declar. Christ, v. D iij. To solicitat and do all there affars as a faythfull Embassadour.
1560. Whitehorne, Arte Warre, 102. It is conuenient for thee, to sollicitate this worke in soche wise, that when the walle falleth, the Diche maie be digged at least, fower or fiue yardes in depth.
2. To excite, stir up, or stimulate.
1568. C. W[atson], Polybius, 50 b. He sent out his most actiue souldiers to solicitate and prouoke his aduersaries that they might come to the hands of the rest. Ibid., 87. He also solicitated the Numidians & Libians to rebellion.
1579. Twyne, Phis. agst. Fortune, I. xxxviii. The tast of the wyne dooth not so much solicitate the appetite.
1650. Earl Monm., trans. Senault’s Man bec. Guilty, 54. She commits so many faults with delight, stays not for being solicitated by the senses.
3. To request, entreat, beseech.
1563. Foxe, A. & M., 1171/1. The Byshop … dyd vrge & solicitate [him], according to his maner of wordes to recant.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 430. They solicitat her … to restore them to their health.
a. 1656. Ussher, Ann., VI. (1658), 176. Having often sollicitated the king, by his letters for pay for the Navy.
4. intr. To take action, make application.
1572. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 347. The Towne Clarke shall go to London to solicitat towching the brewer charter.
