An archaic word meaning a command or bidding; what someone is asked or commanded to do.
From Old English hǽs, from Proto-Germanic *haitiz (to be called, to command). Related to the word 'hight' (to be named) and cognate with German Heiss.
This is one of those wonderful old English words that gives us phrases like 'at his hest' in Shakespeare—it's the poetic way to say 'at his command,' and it sounds so much grander than modern English.
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