All 9 Uses of
beseech
in
The Idiot
- The old fellow went straight off to Nastasia Philipovna, touched the floor with his forehead, and began blubbering and beseeching her on his knees to give him back the diamonds.†
Chpt 1.1 *beseeching = asking or begging
- An old woman who had been robbed of five hundred roubles, her all, by some rogue of a usurer, besought him to take up her case, instead of which he defended the usurer himself, a Jew named Zeidler, because this Jew promised to give him fifty roubles....†
Chpt 2.2besought = asked strongly or begged for something
- We present no petition, but a proud and free demand (note it well, we do not beseech, we demand!)†
Chpt 2.8
- But remember that we do not beseech, we demand!†
Chpt 2.8
- We do not beseech, we demand!†
Chpt 2.8
- "We demand, we demand, we demand, we do not beseech," spluttered Burdovsky, red as a lobster.†
Chpt 2.8
- 'We refuse ten thousand roubles; we do not beseech, we demand!'†
Chpt 2.9
- 'We do not beseech, we demand, you will get no thanks from us, because you will be acting to satisfy your own conscience!'†
Chpt 2.9
- I beseech you, do not be so cruel as to remember!†
Chpt 2.10
Definition:
to ask strongly or beg for something
Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing.
Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):
Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):
Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.