behest
n.n. a formal request or order from someone in a position of power. You use this when someone tells you to do something because they have authority.
n. a formal command or request, typically issued by a person in a position of authority. Often used in legal or historical contexts to describe the will of a monarch or judge.
The soldiers followed the order on the king's behest.
The judge ordered the evidence to be sealed at the request of the defense, following the behest of the court.
The council acted on the behest of the mayor, implementing the new policy despite significant opposition from the local business community.
From Middle English biheste, from Old English behǣs (“vow, promise”), from Proto-West Germanic bihaisi, from bi- (“be-”) + haisi (“command”), from Proto-Germanic haisiz, from *haitaną (“to command”). Final -t by analogy with other similar words in -t. Related to Old English behātan (“to command, promise”), Middle Low German beheit, behēt (“a promise”). Compare also hest (“command”), hight.