What does behest mean?
Definitions for behest
bɪˈhɛstbe·hest
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word behest.
Princeton's WordNet
behestnoun
an authoritative command or request
Wiktionary
behestnoun
A command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request.
behestverb
To promise; vow.
Etymology: From behæs, from bi, from. Final -t by analogy with other similar words in -t. Related to behatan, beheit, behet. Compare also hest, hight.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Behestnoun
Command; precept; mandate.
Etymology: from be and hest; hæs, Saxon.
Her tender youth had obediently lived under her parents behests, without framing, out of her own will, the forechoosing of any thing. Philip Sidney, b. ii.
Such joy he had their stubborn hearts to quell,
And sturdy courage tame with dreadful awe,
That his behest they fear’d as proud tyrant’s law. Fairy Q.I, messenger from everlasting Jove,
In his great name thus his behest do tell. Edward Fairfax, b. i. st. 17.To visit oft those happy tribes,
On high behests his angels to and fro
Pass’d frequent. John Milton, Paradise Lost, b. vi. l. 153.Reign thou in hell, thy kingdom; let me serve
In heav’n God ever blest, and his divine
Behests obey, worthiest to be obey’d! Paradise Lost, b. vi.
Wikipedia
behest
Hundreds of Empire ships were employed by the Government of the United Kingdom. They were acquired from a number of sources: many were built for the government; others obtained from the United States; still others were captured or seized from enemy powers. Empire ships were mostly used during World War II by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT), which owned the ships but contracted out their management to various shipping lines; however, some ships requisitioned during the Suez Crisis were also named as Empire ships. Most Empire ships have since been lost or scrapped; however a few still remain in active service or preserved.
ChatGPT
behest
Behest is a noun that refers to an authoritative order, command, or an earnest or strongly worded request. It is often used to describe directives from a person in a position of power or authority.
Webster Dictionary
Behestnoun
that which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an injunction
Behestnoun
a vow; a promise
Behestverb
to vow
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Behest
be-hest′, n. command: charge. [A.S. behǽs, a promise. See Hest.]
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Anagrams for behest »
Thebes
Thêbes
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of behest in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of behest in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5
Examples of behest in a Sentence
Like any political appointee, the Inspector General serves at the behest of the Executive, however, in order to be effective, the IG must be allowed to conduct his or her work independent of internal or external pressure.
Russian soldiers sent to Ukraine at the behest of the Kremlin will face fierce resistance.
We have never confronted in recent decades the reality of a war with a government of a large country with an international terror network at its behest, new Yorkers deserve to know that we have entered into a different reality.
That execution of that 9-year-old boy has to come from one singularly evil person, not from a plan. His killer did so of his own volition and for his own reason. Not at the behest or help of Corey Morgan.
Let the record be crystal clear that it is not patriotism, it is not justified to descend on the Capitol at the behest of a candidate who lost an election and terrorize others.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for behest
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- нареждане, заповедBulgarian
- Geheiß, BefehlGerman
- solicitud, ordenSpanish
- دستورPersian
- käskyFinnish
- demandeFrench
- comando, ordineItalian
- פקודהHebrew
- arahanMalay
- bevel, opdrachtDutch
- behestNorwegian
- rozkazPolish
- кoмaндa, распоряжение, указание, директиваRussian
- direktiva, zapovjed, komanda, naredbaSerbo-Croatian
- ukazSlovene
- befallning, orderSwedish
Get even more translations for behest »
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"behest." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 16 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/behest>.
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