Hypertext Webster Gateway: "behest"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Behest \Be*hest"\, n. [OE. biheste promise, command, AS.
beh[=ae]s promise; pref. be- + h[=ae]s command. See {Hest},
{Hight}.]
1. That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an
injunction.
To do his master's high behest. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A vow; a promise. [Obs.]
The time is come that I should send it her, if I
keep the behest that I have made. --Paston.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Behest \Be*hest"\, v. t.
To vow. [Obs.] --Paston.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
behest
n : an authoritative command or request
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