entreat

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtriːt, ɛn-/

verb

  • 1 [reporting verb] ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something: [with object and infinitive]: his friends entreated him not to go (as adjective entreating) his entreating eyes
  • [with object] ask earnestly or anxiously for (something): a message had been sent, entreating aid for the Navahos
  • 2 [with object and adverbial] archaic treat (someone) in a specified manner: the King, I fear, hath ill entreated her

Derivatives

entreatingly

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'treat, act towards (someone)'; formerly also as intreat): from Old French entraitier, based on traitier 'to treat', from Latin tractare 'to handle'