behest
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
behest
- /bɪˈhɛst/ UK
- /bɪˈhɛst/ US
- /biˈhɛst/ US
- /bɪˈhest/ Australia
- /biˈhest/ Australia
Rhymes with -ɛst
Where it comes from
From Middle English biheste, from Old English behǣs (“vow, promise”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihaisi, from *bi- (“be-”) + *haisi (“command”), from Proto-Germanic *haisiz, from *haitaną (“to command”). Final -t by analogy with other similar words in -t. Related to Old English behātan (“to command, promise”), Middle Low German beheit, behēt (“a promise”). Compare also hest (“command”), hight.
noun behests
- A command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request; now usually in the phrase at the behest of and at one's behest. Moſt great and puiſant Monarke of the earth, Your Baſſoe wil accompliſh your beheſt: […]
- A vow; a promise. c. 1440, Markaryte Paston, letter to John Paston The time is come that I should send it her, if I keep the behest that I have made.
verb behests · behesting · behested
- To promise; vow.
