behest
A command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request; now usually in the…A command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request; now usually in the phrase at the behest of and at one's behest.
» He testified that the wire-tapping was carried out at the behest of his superiors.
Meaning
2 sensesA command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request; now usually in the phrase at the behest of and at one's behest.
Geheiß, Befehl
кома́ндаkománda, распоряже́ниеrasporjažénije, директи́ваdirektíva
an authoritative command or request
(obsolete)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.
Examples
5 sentencesHe testified that the wire-tapping was carried out at the behest of his superiors.
Some journalists are still in jail; victims of a politicized justice at the behest of the government.
Tom says he did it at John's behest.
deTom will es auf Johannis Geheiß hin getan haben.
I know you are in Rome at the behest of your king.
At the behest of their corporate masters, multiple Republican-governed U.S. states are attempting to legalize child labor; one already has.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English biheste, from Old English behǣs (“vow, promise”), from Proto-West GermFrom 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.
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