obtest

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English

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Etymology

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From Latin obtestor.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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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.
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