Solicitation: meaning, definitions and examples

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solicitation

 

[səˌlɪsɪˈteɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

The act of requesting or seeking for something, especially earnestly or persistently.

Synonyms

appeal, petition, request.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
solicitation

Solicitation is typically used in a formal or business context when someone is seeking help, support, or funds. It might also be used in a negative context, where it implies unwanted or persistent requests.

  • The charity sent out a solicitation for donations.
  • There are rules against solicitation in this building.
request

Request is a neutral and general term that can be used in both formal and informal settings when someone is asking for something politely and directly.

  • She made a request for a day off.
  • Can I request an additional copy of the report?
appeal

Appeal is often used when someone is making an urgent and emotional plea for support, especially in legal, social, or humanitarian contexts.

  • The lawyer made an appeal for clemency.
  • The family issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
petition

Petition is commonly used when a formal written request is made, usually signed by many people, to a government or other authority, seeking a specific action or change.

  • They started a petition to stop the construction of the new highway.
  • The petition was signed by over 10,000 residents.

Examples of usage

  • She received a lot of solicitations from different companies after posting her resume online.
  • The email was clearly a solicitation for donations to the charity.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

The act of offering goods or services for sale or advertising.

Synonyms

advertising, marketing, promotion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
solicitation

Repeated entry due to a duplicate in the list.

advertising

Refers to the activity of creating and sharing announcements or promotions to publicize a product, service, or event, usually through various media channels.

  • The new advertising campaign was launched last week
  • They spent millions on TV advertising to boost sales
promotion

Focuses on activities meant to publicize a product, service, or event to increase sales or awareness, often including limited-time offers or deals.

  • The store is offering a special promotion on laptops this week
  • They received a lot of attention for their product launch promotion
marketing

Encompasses the broader strategy and activities related to promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.

  • She has a degree in marketing and works for a major tech company
  • Effective marketing can significantly increase a company's revenue

Examples of usage

  • The solicitation of products through telemarketing is a common practice.
  • The city has banned the solicitation of goods on this street.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'sollicitatio', meaning 'to stir up' or 'to disturb', indicating its roots in making requests.
  • It evolved through Old French before arriving in English in the late 15th century, emphasizing its long history.
  • Many legal terms are derived from soliciting, highlighting its importance in law and formal requests.

Legal Relevance

  • In legal contexts, solicitation refers to the act of asking someone to engage in illegal activities, such as the solicitation of prostitution.
  • Lawyers often solicit clients, where the solicitation must comply with ethical rules to maintain professionalism.
  • Various laws regulate solicitation to prevent harassment or moral dilemmas in society.

Social Sciences

  • In psychology, solicitation can be studied in terms of how people respond to requests and social pressure.
  • Social interactions often involve solicitation, whether it’s fundraising or community services, showcasing human connectivity and altruism.
  • Cultural norms influence how solicitation is perceived; in some cultures, open requests are common, while in others, they may be seen as impolite.

Pop Culture

  • Solicitation appears in numerous films and books, often portraying characters who either use or resist the act of asking for help.
  • Songs and lyrics commonly discuss themes of solicitation, such as desire and longing, reflecting deeper emotional connotations.
  • In advertising, solicitation tactics are used to persuade consumers to buy products, showing the blend of commerce and personal appeal.

Business

  • Companies often create solicitation letters to request donations or support for various causes.
  • Sales pitches are a common form of solicitation in business, where individuals ask potential customers for a sale.
  • Networking events frequently involve solicitation, where people seek to establish connections for mutually beneficial purposes.

Translations

Translations of the word "solicitation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 solicitação

🇮🇳 प्रस्ताव

🇩🇪 Anforderung

🇮🇩 permintaan

🇺🇦 запит

🇵🇱 prośba

🇯🇵 依頼 (irai)

🇫🇷 sollicitation

🇪🇸 solicitud

🇹🇷 talep

🇰🇷 요청 (yocheong)

🇸🇦 طلب (talab)

🇨🇿 žádost

🇸🇰 žiadosť

🇨🇳 请求 (qǐngqiú)

🇸🇮 zahteva

🇮🇸 beiðni

🇰🇿 сұрау

🇬🇪 მოთხოვნა (mot’khovna)

🇦🇿 sorğu

🇲🇽 solicitud

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,180, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.