solicitous

comparative more solicitous · superlative most solicitous

1. Disposed to solicit; eager to obtain something desirable, or to avoid anything evil.

   Where pain is most severe and sorrow most bitter, there love is most solicitous and untiring.

   1929, Kirby Page, Jesus Or Christianity: A Study In Contrasts, Oxford: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., page 32

   1 more example

   To that end, the then Biſhop of London, Dʳ Laud, attended on his Majeſty throughout that whole journey[…]to accompliſh which he was no leſs ſollicitous than the King himſelf, nor the King the leſs ſollicitous for his Advice.

   1646–48, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, The History of the Rebellion, volume III, Oxford: Ro. Mander, published 1707, book I, page 82

2. Showing care, concern, or attention, in any of several ways:
   1. usuallyUsually followed by about; for; or a clauseIn a conscientious way, often with kindness.

      solicitous about a person's health

      3 more examples

      solicitous inquiries, asking after her husband and children

      You have not only been careful of my fortune, which was the effect of your nobleneſs, but you have been ſolicitous of my reputation, which is that of your kindneſs.

      1666 November 10, John Dryden, “Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders”, in The Poetical Works of John Dryden, volume I, London: F. C. and J. Rivington et al., published 1811, page 78

      The more solicitous of the two was Nurse Cramer, a shapely, pretty, sexless girl with a wholesome unattractive face.

      1961 November 10, Joseph Heller, “The Soldier in White”, in Catch-22 […], New York, N.Y.: Simon and Schuster, →OCLC, page 171

   2. usuallyUsually followed by about; for; or a clauseIn an eager way.
   3. usuallyUsually followed by about; for; or a clauseIn an anxious or distressed way.

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      Enjoy the preſent whatſoever it be, and be not ſollicitous for the future : for if you take your foot from the preſent ſtanding, and thruſt it forward toward to morrow’s even, you are in a reſtleſs condition, it is like refuſing to quench your preſent thirſt by fearing you ſhall want to drink the next day.

      1650, Jeremy Taylor, “Of Christian Society”, in The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living, 19th edition, London: J. Hepinstall, published 1703, section VI, page 114