solicitous

Adjective

solicitous (comparative more solicitous, superlative most solicitous)

1. Disposed to solicit; eager to obtain something desirable, or to avoid anything evil.
   • To that end, the then Biſhop of London, Dʳ Laud, attended on his Majeſty throughout that whole journey[…]to accompliſh which he was no leſs ſollicitous than the King himſelf, nor the King the leſs ſollicitous for his Advice.1646–48, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, The History of the Rebellion, volume III, Oxford: Ro. Mander, published 1707, book I, page 82
   • Where pain is most severe and sorrow most bitter, there love is most solicitous and untiring.1929, Kirby Page, Jesus Or Christianity: A Study In Contrasts, Oxford: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., page 32
2. (usually, Usually followed by about, for, or a clause) In a conscientious way, often with kindness.
   • solicitous about a person's health
   • solicitous inquiries, asking after her husband and children
3. (usually, Usually followed by about, for, or a clause) In an eager way.
4. (usually, Usually followed by about, for, or a clause) In an anxious or distressed way.
   • Enjoy the preſent whatſoever it be, and be not ſollicitous for the future : for if you take your foot from the preſent ſtanding, and thruſt it forward toward to morrow’s even, you are in a reſtleſs condition, it is like refuſing to quench your preſent thirſt by fearing you ſhall want to drink the...1650, Jeremy Taylor, “Of Christian Society”, in The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living, 19th edition, London: J. Hepinstall, published 1703, section VI, page 114