Behest first appeared
in 12th century Old English as "behǽs," which is formed from the
prefix "be-" and the Old English verb "hātan" ("to command"
or "to promise"). While "behest" was originally used only
in the sense of "promise," it acquired the additional sense of
"command" among speakers of Middle English. Among contemporary
English speakers, "behest" is no longer used in the sense of "promise"
but rather denotes an authoritative or urgent request or command. Old English
"hātan" also gave English the now-archaic words "hest"
(meaning "command") and "hight" ("being called or
named").
