solicitousadj.
/səˈlɪsɪtəs/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > [adjective]
doubtingc1425
feared1440
jealous?1533
doubtful1548
pensive1549
solicitous1621
apprehensive1633
trepidatious1904
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iii. v. 132 Ever suspitious, anxious, sollicitous, they are childishly drooping, without reason.
1658 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 78 Good natures are sollicitous when a misapprehension befalls them.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 120 There without sign of boast, or sign of joy, Sollicitous and blank he thus began. View more context for this quotation
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Sollicitous, full of Care and Fear, troubled or much concerned about a thing.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. iii. 209 They began to be sollicitous.
2.
a. Troubled, anxious, or deeply concerned, on some specified account. Const. with prepositions, as about, for, of, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [adjective]
busyOE
howful970
carefulOE
angerful?c1225
yemelichc1275
thoughtfulc1300
anguishousc1325
curiousc1400
carkfulc1449
solicitate?a1475
solicit?1526
fearful1535
anxious1548
carking1567
solicitous1570
solicitudinousa1682
thoughted1869
uptight1934
(a)
(b)1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. 121 These forraine ingagements made the King lesse solicitous, of point of Prerogative at home.1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 16 One so solicitous about other Mens Healths, cannot be unmindful of his own.1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. x. 188 Scarce any show themselves to Advantage, who are over solicitous of doing so.1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 177 Your Highness will not expect me to be very solicitous of Henry Smith's interest.1841 R. W. Emerson Prudence in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 240 You are solicitous of the good will of the meanest person, uneasy at his ill will.(c)1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall i. 7 The Persian Magi..being only sollicitous about their bones [etc.].a1683 J. Owen Disc. Holy Spirit (1693) 14 In this condition the best of Men are apt to be solicitous about their Answers.1702 V. Mandey tr. J. J. Hainlin Synopsis Mathematica: Astron. ii. v. 351 Concerning those, Astronomers are not Sollicitous, by reason of the Smallness.1886 J. Ruskin Præterita II. ix. 330 He was undiligent and effectless—chiefly solicitous about his trousers and gloves.1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 159/2 He willeth him alwaies to be sollicitous for his soule.
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. Ep. Ded. p. iv Moses, when he tarried at home, was very sollicitous for his countrimen in the field.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 422 For a bare Error of the Memory I shall not be solicitous.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. i. 302 The boat was sent away..; and we were not a little solicitous for her return.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 11 Sollicitous chiefly for the peace of my own country, but by no means unconcerned for your's. View more context for this quotation
1821 J. Bentham Elements Art of Packing 50 The solicitor for the smuggler is solicitous for the smuggler, because,..in being solicitous for his client, he is solicitous for him~self.
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) II. 315 They deemed that such an one would be more solicitous for their welfare..than a stranger.
b. With subordinate clause.
ΚΠ
1639 P. Massinger Unnaturall Combat iii. ii. sig. Fv He found him Sollicitous in what shape she should appeare.
1647 H. More Philos. Poems Ded. sig. A3 I am not indeed much solicitous, how every particle of these Poems may please you.
1764 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) I. 57 This weak monarch was in no way solicitous who succeeded.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 433 Much solicitous how best He may compensate for a day of sloth.
1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. ix. 396 Why so solicitous that we should be reconciled?
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) II. 529 The delegates of the States were chiefly solicitous lest they should be attacked by the remnant of the order in Germany.
3. Extremely or particularly careful or attentive; taking the utmost heed or care.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective]
busyOE
carefula1000
orne?c1225
intentivec1290
soignous1340
curiousc1386
diligentc1400
well-advisedc1405
thoughtfulc1450
thoughtyc1480
keepful1489
tentfula1525
respective1525
solicit?1526
heedful1548
heedy1548
tentyc1555
chare1564
respectful1585
tentible1603
solicitous1610
observant1627
care-taking1825
leery1911
1610 Bible (Douay) II. Micah vi. 8 comm. To love mercie, and to walke solicitous with thy God.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Christian Morals (1716) i. 39 Move circumspectly, not meticulously, and rather carefully sollicitous than anxiously sollicitudinous.
1789 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. vi. §41 Under a solicitous and attentive government the ordinary preceptor..is but a deputy as it were to the magistrate.
4. Anxious, eager, desirous:
a. With to and infinitive.
ΚΠ
1693 J. Edwards Disc. conc. Old & New-Test. I. xii. 384 Those learned and pious Writers..were not solicitous to go any farther.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 11 The Prince..was transported with the Thought of it, and most impatiently sollicitous to bring it to pass.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. ix. 228 We were very solicitous to get some positive intelligence.
1779 Mirror No. 19 These peculiarities serve only..to make her more solicitous to prevent their effects.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. viii. 284 Whose alliance Hyder was solicitous to gain.
1867 D. Duncan Disc. vii. 146 God is willing, nay, solicitous to confer these blessings.
b. With in (governing nouns of action).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > strong or eager desire > [adjective]
yernc893
oflisteOE
courageousc1290
eager?a1300
greedya1300
keena1375
affectuousa1400
lickerousc1405
appetentc1420
affectual1483
gasping1517
zealous1531
avidious1534
avidous1542
affectivec1550
anxious1570
lickerish1579
solicitous1628
mantling1657
ambitioning1683
urgent1753
avid1769
agasp1800
concernable1886
yearnful1889
yevery1896
1628 R. Le Grys tr. J. Barclay Argenis iv. 274 To the most of them, the Kings being so sollicitous in this businesse, was not pleasing.
1665 I. Walton Life of Hooker 241 All this time he was solicitous in his study.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 233 While the merchant and the mariner are solicitous in describing currents and soundings.
5. Marked or characterized by anxiety, care, or concern:
a. Of actions, study, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > characterized by or executed with care
solicitate?a1475
solicit1513
respective1560
solicitous1563
accurate1581
careful1651
solicitudinous1829
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1260/1 Whose industrie was alwayes sollicitous, not onelye to them of hys owne companye, but also..for other prysoners.
1645 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer iii. vi. 64 A symbole, first, of vigilant care and most intent and sollicitous inspection and providence.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 443 The Government of some of them is toilsom and sollicitous.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vi. 227 An attentive, sollicitous, perhaps painful Exercise of their Understanding about it.
1829 I. Taylor Nat. Hist. Enthusiasm (1867) ii. 32 A solicitous dissection of the changing emotions of the religious life.
1863 H. Rogers Life J. Howe i. 14 It is not after the method of a severe logic or a too solicitous philosophy.
b. Of cares, thoughts, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [adjective] > of cares or thoughts
solicitous1650
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 242 The sollicitous cares of his mind, which dry his very bones.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xvi. 133 He was in this sad quandary and sollicitous pensiveness.
1703 W. Burkitt Expos. Notes New Test. Luke xii. 30 This vexatious care, and sollicitous thoughtfulness.
1717 L. Howel Desiderius (ed. 3) 55 Being the less incumber'd with uneasy Cares and solicitous Vexations.
c. Of life or conditions.
ΚΠ
1661 Gauden in C. Wordsworth Documentary Suppl. (1825) 19 I doe not desire to live long in this distracted and solicitous condition.
1673 W. Temple Observ. United Provinces i. 71 The Royal servitude of a sollicitous Life.
6. Of features: Suggestive of solicitude or anxiety.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [adjective] > of appearance or expression
solicitous1868
anxiogenic1956
1868 A. C. Swinburne in D. G. Rossetti & A. C. Swinburne Notes Royal Acad. Exhib. ii. 36 The features resolute, solicitous, heroic.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. ii. xi. 196 It was not possible for a human aspect to be freer from grimace or solicitous wrigglings.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.1563