behest









behest


noun

  1. a command or directive.
  2. an earnest or strongly worded request.

noun

  1. an authoritative order or earnest request
n.

Old English behæs “a vow,” perhaps from behatan “to promise” (from be- + hatan “command, call;” see cite) and confused with obsolete hest “command,” which may account for the parasitic -t as well as the Middle English shift in meaning to “command, injunction” (late 12c.).

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