efflagitation

plural efflagitations · alternative flagitation

1. countableobsoleterareuncountableAn earnest request, an entreaty.

   With candor attend to her efflagitation, / […]

   1776, George Wythe, in W. Edwin Hemphill, “George Wythe Courts the Muses”, The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 9 (3rd series), No. 3 (Jul., 1952), page 342

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   Some men knowing this to bee their prerogative, […] that their Wives are bound by Gods Law to submit to their manly spirits, and riper judgements, may perchance out of their earthlinesse, and intolerable worldly-mindednesse, […], take the advantage and unconscionablely stand off, and refuse to give their consents unto their wives pious efflagitations and intreaties.

   1635, Richard Bernard, “Chap. VI. That wives are to doe good workes”, in The Ready Way to Good Works, Or, A Treatise of Charitie, London, pages 75–76

   Whence then proceeds this strong oppugnance to / My faire proposition, efflagitation?

   1657, G. G. D'Ouvilly, The False Favourite Disgrac'd, London, act III, scene 1, page 58

   Into the noisome caverns of the Ghouls; into the dew-gemmed bower of the lady fairies, you have extended your efflagitations.

   1911, The Irish Homestead, volume 18, numbers 26–52, Dublin, page 792

2. countableobsoleterareuncountableA constant and insistent demanding, importunity.

   This temper of solicitation, or more properly efflagitation, amongst his other qualifications, had greatly conduced to procure for him and his children some honourable and lucrative employments and reversions, […]

   1777, Patrick Duigenan, Lachrymae academicae : or, The present deplorable state of the College of the holy and undivided Trinity, of Queen Elizabeth, near Dublin, Dublin, page 16

   1 more example

   A laborer's wife was visited fifteen times by people of importance who lived near her in order to induce her to bring over her husband to the Tory cause.[…] Canvassing like this is not the mere suggestion of arguments in favor of the cause represented by the canvasser; it is not even solicitation. It is efflagitation.

   1910 April 9, D. C. Pedder, “Intensive Electioneering”, in The Living Age, volume CCLXV, number 3431, Boston: The Living Age Company, page 100