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behest

 - 3 dictionary results

be⋅hest

  [bi-hest]
Use behest in a Sentence
–noun
1. a command or directive.
2. an earnest or strongly worded request.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME bihest(e), OE behǣs promise. See be-, hest

Synonyms:
1. order, bidding, decree, dictate, mandate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To behest
be·hest   (bĭ-hěst')   
n.  

  1. An authoritative command.

  2. An urgent request: I called the office at the behest of my assistant.


[Middle English bihest, vow, from Old English behǣs; see kei-2 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

behest 
O.E. behæs "a vow," perhaps from behatan "to promise," confused with obs. hest "command," which may account for the parasitic -t as well as the M.E. shift in meaning to "command, injunction" (c.1175).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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