Behest
a command or directive.
an earnest or strongly worded request.
Contemporary Examples
Jackson declined to comment on the case, saying it was at the behest of his lawyer.
Prof: MIT Hospitalized Me For Ferguson Tweets Nina Strochlic December 10, 2014
Or the time he ran and hid—at his mother’s behest—during the Battle of the Blackwater.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal Wedding Andrew Romano April 13, 2014
I agreed to meet him at the behest of a mutual friend, though I was hesitant.
Thank You For Your Service: Remembering Michael Hastings Daniel L. Davis July 3, 2013
The first is whether or not to resume peace talks with the Israelis, at the behest of American Secretary of State John Kerry.
New Palestinian PM Faces Old Challenges Ali Gharib June 2, 2013
She was also a good delegator; there were lots of other people doing things at her behest.
Pippa Middleton, the Royal Wedding’s Other Star Tom Sykes April 28, 2011
Historical Examples
Dinah was not loth to obey this behest, being terribly anxious to know what was happening around them.
The Sign Of The Red Cross Evelyn Everett-Green
To have died at your behest at the instant would have been as nothing.
The Fixed Period Anthony Trollope
Providence has thrown him into my hands, and enabled me to obey her behest.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 370, August 1846 Various
He did spontaneously the things that lesser men do at behest of their press-agents.
The Orchard of Tears Sax Rohmer
Sabitri, in obedience to her esteemed father’s behest, thus spoke in a tone becoming her age and sex.
The Hindoos as they Are Shib Chunder Bose
noun
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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to observe; look at; see. look; see: And, behold, three sentries of the King did appear. Contemporary Examples A consumer society without taste is a horrible thing to behold. Britain is in No Position to Rule the Waves Noah Kristula-Green March 7, 2012 He wore a sparkly jacket that was terrifying to behold, but was […]
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obligated; indebted: a man beholden to no one. Contemporary Examples beholden to a base that, like a capricious autocrat, will turn against them at the slightest provocation. Ted Cruz is Still Not Here to Make Friends Jamelle Bouie February 25, 2014 The religious parties themselves are not, contrary to popular assumption, beholden only to right-wing […]
- Behoof
use; advantage; benefit: The money was spent for his own behoof. Historical Examples I wish to say that the tobacco lavished upon the espada was collected for the behoof of all the prisoners. Literature and Life William Dean Howells “Nay, I would not have you peril your life for my behoof,” she replied, with a […]
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use; advantage; benefit: The money was spent for his own behoof. to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical considerations; be incumbent on: It behooves the court to weigh evidence impartially. to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage: It would behoove you to be nicer to those who could […]
- Behove
behoove. Historical Examples It seemed to behove me to come to you and offer you my hand i’ your affliction. Julia And Her Romeo: A Chronicle Of Castle Barfield David Christie Murray There must be something behind all this; and so it behove him to keep his eyes open. The Count’s Millions Emile Gaboriau If […]