Word Study
behest
CIDE DICTIONARY
behest, n. [OE. biheste promise, command, AS. beh promise; pref. be- + h command. See Hest, Hight.].
- That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an injunction. [1913 Webster]"To do his master's high behest." [1913 Webster]
- A vow; a promise. [1913 Webster]"The time is come that I should send it her, if I keep the behest that I have made." [1913 Webster]
behest, v. t.
To vow. Paston. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
behest, n. literary a command; an entreaty (went at his behest).
Etymology
OE beh{aelig}s f. Gmc
THESAURUS
behest
bidding, charge, command, commandment, demand, dictate, dictation, direct order, hest, imperative, injunction, mandate, order, pleasure, prompting, request, say-so, solicitation, special order, will, word, word of commandROGET THESAURUS
behest
Command
N command, order, ordinance, act, fiat, hukm, bidding, dictum, hest, behest, call, beck, nod, despatch, dispatch, message, direction, injunction, charge, instructions, appointment, fixture, demand, exaction, imposition, requisition, claim, reclamation, revendication, ultimatum, request, requirement, dictation, dictate, mandate, caveat, decree, senatus consultum, precept, prescript, rescript, writ, ordination, bull, ex cathedra pronouncement, edict, decretal, dispensation, prescription, brevet, placit, ukase, ukaz, firman, hatti- sherif, warrant, passport, mittimus, mandamus, summons, subpoena, nisi prius, interpellation, citation, word, word of command, mot d'ordre, bugle call, trumpet call, beat of drum, tattoo, order of the day, enactment, plebiscite, commanding, authoritative, decretory, decretive, decretal, callable, jussive, in a commanding tone, by a stroke of the pen, by a dash of the pen, by order, at beat of drum, on the first summons, the decree is gone forth, sic volo sic jubeo, le Roi le veut, boutez en avant.For further exploring for "behest" in Webster Dictionary Online
