obtest

English

Etymology

From Latin obtestor.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɒbˈtɛst/

Verb

obtest (third-person singular simple present obtests, present participle obtesting, simple past and past participle obtested)

1. (archaic, transitive, intransitive) To implore, beseech, plead, beg.
2. (archaic, transitive, intransitive) To call on a witness (often God) to confirm that something is true.
   • 1697, Virgil, “The Eleventh Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 542, lines 149–152:

     Now Suppliants, from Laurentum ſent, demand
     A Truce, with Olive Branches in their hand.
     Obteſt his Clemency, and from the Plain
     Beg leave to draw the Bodies of their ſlain.

Related terms

• obtestation