behest

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
behest
    n 1: an authoritative command or request
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Behest \Be*hest"\, v. t.
   To vow. [Obs.] --Paston.
   [1913 Webster]
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Behest \Be*hest"\, n. [OE. biheste promise, command, AS.
   beh[=ae]s promise; pref. be- + h[=ae]s command. See {Hest},
   {Hight}.]
   1. That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an
      injunction.
      [1913 Webster]

            To do his master's high behest.       --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A vow; a promise. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The time is come that I should send it her, if I
            keep the behest that I have made.     --Paston.
      [1913 Webster]
from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
22 Moby Thesaurus words for "behest":
      bidding, charge, command, commandment, demand, dictate, dictation,
      direct order, hest, imperative, injunction, mandate, order,
      pleasure, prompting, request, say-so, solicitation, special order,
      will, word, word of command
antiflux / dictionary / behest
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