verb trans
to make a formal or earnest appeal or request to (somebody)
to try to obtain (something) by urgent requests or pleas
With the capercailzie, the females flit around the male whilst he is parading … and try to solicit his attention — Darwin
said esp of a prostitute: to accost (somebody) publicly with sexual offers
to attempt to lure or entice (somebody), esp into evil
(usu + for) to ask earnestly for something
said esp of a prostitute: to accost somebody publicly with an offer of sex for money
solicitation /-ʹtaysh(ə)n/ noun
[Middle English soliciten to disturb, take charge of, via early French solliciter from Latin sollicitare to disturb, from sollicitus anxious, from sollus whole + citus, past part. of ciēre to move]