Word Direct Answers

What does "entreat" mean?

Entreat: 2. To treat with, or in respect to, a thing desired; hence, to ask earnestly; to beseech; to petition or pray with urgency; to supplicate; to importune. "Entreat my wife to come." "I do entreat your patience." Shak. I must entreat of you some of that money. Shak. Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door. Poe. Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife. Gen. xxv.

Additional senses

  1. 2.3. To beseech or supplicate successfully; to prevail upon by prayer or solicitation; to persuade. It were a fruitless attempt to appease a power whom no prayers could entreat. Rogers.
  2. 3.To invite; to entertain. [Obs.] "Pleasures to entreat." Spenser. See Beseech.
  3. 4.To treat or discourse; hence, to enter into negotiations, as for a treaty. [Obs.] Of which I shall have further occasion to entreat. Hakewill. Alexander . . . was first that entreated of true peace with them. 1 Mac. x.
  4. 5.2. To make an earnest petition or request. The Janizaries entreated for them as valiant men. Knolles.
  5. 6.Entreaty. [Obs.] Ford.

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