noun
behest
bih-HEST/bɪˈhest/
A request or command that prompts someone to act.
The driver stops at the traffic officer’s behest.
Etymology
Old English behæs meant a vow, and early English behest meant a promise or pledge. Confusion with hest, meaning “command,” may explain its shift toward an authoritative demand.
In context
they acted upon the behest of the high lords themselves effectively a chapter on call for whatever actions the high twelve wished to take
More examples
- The report was prepared at the council's behest.
- He returns at his family's behest.
- The changes were made at the customer's behest.
Forms
behest · behests