behest

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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: […]

2. 2
   noun

   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.

3. 3
   noun

   an authoritative command or request

4. 4
   verb

   To promise; vow.

Etymology

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.