beseech
English
Alternative forms
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”).
Pronunciation
Verb
beseech (third-person singular simple present beseeches, present participle beseeching, simple past and past participle beseeched (or archaic besought))
- 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.
- 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 31
- Panting a little in his haste, he told her how miserable he was; he besought her to have mercy on him; he promised, if she would forgive him, to do everything she wanted.
- 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, London, Oxford University Press, 1973, § 25:
Translations
to beg
Related terms
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: