adj. 1. a. Showing great attention or concern to another: a solicitous parent; solicitous for your welfare; solicitous of his young sister. b. Expressing care or concern for another: made solicitous inquiries about our family. See Synonyms at thoughtful. c. Showing great care; careful or meticulous: solicitous in the care of critically ill patients. d. Worried; anxious: solicitous about his son's behavior. 2. Archaic Full of desire; eager: "an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give" (Jane Austen). [Latin sollicitus : sollus, entire; see sol- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + citus, past participle of ciēre, to set in motion; see keiə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] so·lici·tous·ly adv. so·lici·tous·ness n. |
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