Beseech

Beseech is a verb meaning to beg urgently and fervently; to entreat, implore, or pray for something. It is transitive and typically takes a direct object or a that-clause: I beseech you to consider this; I beseech that mercy be shown.

Etymology: The word comes from Old English besēcan, formed by be- (an intensifier) and sēcan meaning to seek. The form and sense have been recorded since the Middle English period and have remained recognizable in religious and literary contexts.

Usage: Beseech conveys a solemn or earnest appeal and is most common in religious, ceremonial, or literary writing. In modern everyday speech it is relatively rare and often used for effect; more common alternatives include beg, plead, entreat, or implore.

Examples: In literature, Shakespeare and biblical translations frequently employ beseech to express urgent appeals. For example: “I beseech you, hear me.” Modern prose might render this as “I beg you to reconsider,” which softens the tone.

Related terms: entreat, implore, plead, supplicate, pray. Distinctions: beseech suggests a stronger, more urgent plea than entreat or beg, and it tends to appear in formal or archaic-style language.