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Solicit vs Elicit - What's the difference?

solicit | elicit |

As verbs the difference between solicit and elicit

is that solicit is to persistently endeavor to obtain an object, or bring about an event while elicit is to evoke, educe (emotions, feelings, responses, etc.); to generate, obtain, or provoke as a response or answer.

As an adjective elicit is

elicited; drawn out; made real; open; evident.

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

    *

    elicit

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To evoke, educe (emotions, feelings, responses, etc.); to generate, obtain, or provoke as a response or answer.
  • To draw out, bring out, bring forth (something latent); to obtain information from someone or something.
    • Fred wished to elicit the time of the meeting from Jane.
    ''Did you elicit a response?
  • To use logic to arrive at truth; to derive by reason; deduce; construe.

    • See also

    * illicit

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Elicited; drawn out; made real; open; evident.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
    • An elicit act of equity.
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