beseech
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English besechen, bisechen, assibilated variants of Middle English beseken, from Old English *besēcan (“to seek or inquire about”), equivalent to be- + seek. Cognate with Dutch bezoeken (“to attend, see”), German besuchen (“to visit, attend, see”), Swedish besöka (“to visit, go to see”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Verb
beseech (third-person singular simple present beseeches, present participle beseeching, simple past and past participle beseeched (or archaic besought))
- (dated) To beg or implore.
- 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, London, Oxford University Press, 1973, § 25:
- after what manner, I beseech you, must the mind proceed in this operation?
- 1888, Rudyard Kipling, ‘Watches of the Night’, Plain Tales from the Hills, Folio 2005, p. 61:
- She besought him, for his Soul's sake to speak the truth.
- 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, London, Oxford University Press, 1973, § 25:
[edit] Translations
to beg
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Noun
beseech (plural beseeches)
- (archaic) A request.
- 1839, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, George Darley, The works of Beaumont and Fletcher: Volume 1:
- Good madam, hear the suit that Edith urges, With such submiss beseeches; [...]
- 1839, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, George Darley, The works of Beaumont and Fletcher: Volume 1:
