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Illicit vs Solicit - What's the difference?

illicit | solicit |

As an adjective illicit

is (legal) not approved by law, but not invalid.

As a verb solicit is

to persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event.

illicit

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (legal) Not approved by law, but not invalid.
    • The bigamous marriage, while illicit, was not invalid.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , date = 2008-01-08 , title = Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership , first = Madeleine , last = Albright , authorlink = Madeleine Albright , location = New York , publisher = HarperCollins , isbn = 9780061351808 , ol = 9952500M , page = 225 , passage = Such migrants may violate our laws against illicit entry, but if that's all they do then they are trespassers, not criminals. }}
  • Breaking social norms.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 1993 , title = Diaries: In Power 1983-1992 , first = Alan , last = Clark , authorlink = Alan Clark , location = London , publisher = Weidenfeld and Nicholson , isbn = 0297813528 , ol = 1046930M , passage = I only can properly enjoy carol services if I am having an illicit affair with someone in the congregation. }}
  • Unlawful.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , date = 2010-07-29 , title = (The Dervish House) , first = Ian , last = McDonald , authorlink = Ian McDonald (British author) , isbn = 9780575089044 , ol = 25418126M , url = http://books.google.com/books?id=-rgZys-M4q4C&pg=PT328&dq=illicit , passage = Ay?e Erkoç learned long ago that the secret of doing anything illicit in Istanbul is to do it in full public gaze in the clear light of day. No one ever questions the legitimacy of the blatant. }}

    Usage notes

    Licit and valid are legal terms to be compared, especially in terms of canon law. With bigamy, if there is an innocent party, the innocent party is validly married; the problem is with the guilty party, who has entered into an illegal second marriage without first divorcing the earlier spouse. The marriage is valid in canon law (and often, civil law), but the guilty party goes to jail nonetheless, in that the marriage is illicit (and illegal), and the innocent party routinely receives a fast annulment and the full sympathy of the court. A corollary is that the children born of such unions are inherently legitimate.

    Synonyms

    * criminal * illegal * illegitimate * prohibited * unlawful

    solicit

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event.
    • to solicit alms, or a favour
  • * Alexander Pope
    • I view my crime, but kindle at the view, / Repent old pleasures, and solicit new.
    Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?
  • To woo; to court.
  • To persuade or incite one to commit some act, especially illegal or sexual behavior.
  • * Milton
    • That fruit solicited her longing eye.
  • * Locke
    • Sounds and some tangible qualities solicit their proper senses, and force an entrance to the mind.
    If you want to lose your virginity, you should try to solicit some fine looking women.
  • To offer to perform sexual activity, especially when for a payment.
    • My girlfriend tried to solicit me for sex, but I was tired.
  • To make a petition.
  • (archaic) To disturb or trouble; to harass.
  • To urge the claims of; to plead; to act as solicitor for or with reference to.
  • * Ford
    • Should / My brother henceforth study to forget / The vow that he hath made thee, I would ever / Solicit thy deserts.
  • (obsolete, rare) To disturb; to disquiet.
  • * Chapman
    • Hath any ill solicited thine ears?
  • * Dryden
    • But anxious fears solicit my weak breast.

    Synonyms

    * request * plead * appeal * thig * supplicate

    Related terms

    * solicitation * solicitor * solicitous * solicitude * unsolicited

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

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