flagitate

English

Etymology

First attested in 1623; borrowed from Latin flāgitātus, perfect passive participle of flāgitō (“to demand, ask urgingly”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈflæd͡ʒɪteɪt/

Verb

flagitate (third-person singular simple present flagitates, present participle flagitating, simple past and past participle flagitated)

1. (archaic) To importune; to demand fiercely or with passion.
   • 1858–1865, Thomas Carlyle, History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC:

     Holy Virgin stood in the main Convent of Glatz, in rather a threadbare condition, when the Prussians first approached; the Jesuits, and ardently Orthodox of both sexes, flagitating Heaven and her with their prayers, that she would vouchsafe to keep the Prussians out.

Related terms

• flagitation
• flagitious

Latin

Verb

flāgitāte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of flāgitō