solicitar
/soliθiˈtaɾ/ · B1 · verb
to request, to ask for, to solicit
📝 solicitar = solicit: same Latin root, meaning to formally ask for something
Both come from Latin sollicitare, to stir up or urge (sollus, whole + ciere, to set moving). Spanish uses it for formal requests: solicitar un visado, to apply for a visa. Its other sense, to attract, keeps the old idea of stirring up interest.