sollicit

Verb

solicit (third-person singular simple present solicits, present participle soliciting, simple past and past participle solicited)

1. (transitive) To persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event.
   • to solicit alms, or a favour

   Synonyms:

   supplicate, thig

2. (transitive) To woo; to court.
   • American railroads are not permitted to operate long-haul road routes, but the I.C.C. decision of 1954 did permit them to solicit trailer business in, say, New York for Chicago provided the trailer was piggybacked in between.1960 November, David Morgan, “"Piggyback"—U.S. success story”, in Trains Illustrated, page 683

   Synonyms:

   address, romance

3. (transitive) To persuade or incite one to commit some act, especially illegal or sexual behavior.
   • That fruit […] sollicited her longing eye.1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC...
4. (transitive) To offer to perform sexual activity, especially when for a payment.
   • My girlfriend tried to solicit me for sex, but I was tired.
5. To make a petition.

   Synonyms:

   appeal, petition, request

6. (archaic, transitive) To disturb or trouble; to harass.

See all 9 meanings of solicit