request
UK[rɪˈkwest]US[rɪˈkwest]
v
To ask for something politely or formally.
n
An act of asking for something politely or formally.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
quest
re
again, back
quest
to seek, to ask
Etymology
The word "request" entered English in the mid-14th century from Old French requeste, itself a noun derived from Vulgar Latin requaesita, meaning "a thing asked for". This Latin form is the feminine past participle of requaerere, a compound of the prefix re- (expressing intensive force, "again") and quaerere ("to seek, ask"). The core semantic logic is one of seeking something out, asking for it earnestly or repeatedly. Over time, the intensive force of the prefix softened, and the word settled into its modern sense of a polite or formal act of asking, retaining the fundamental link between seeking and verbal petition.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + quest (to seek, to ask)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again, back, anew".
quest: From Latin quaerere (to seek, ask), via Old French queste (search, inquiry). It functions as the core root meaning "to seek or ask".
Examples
I would like to request a copy of the report.
The committee denied his request for additional funding.
Guests are requested to wear formal attire to the ceremony.