Solicitude, n.
Etymology: [F. sollicitude,r L. sollicitudo.]
The state of being solicitous; uneasiness of mind occasioned by fear of evil or desire good; anxiety. The many cares and great labors of worldly men, their solicitude and outward shows. Sir W. Raleigh. The mother looked at her with fond solicitude. G. W. Cable.
Syn. -- Carefulness; concern; anxiety. See Care.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for solicitude; he lists it under alarm, anxiety, care.
Where he writes about it:
Apprehension, disquietude, dread, misgiving, and solicitude are in anticipation of danger; consternation, dismay, and terror are overwhelming fear, generally in the actual presence of that which is terrible, though these words also may have an anticipative force. — from alarm
Solicitude is a milder anxiety. — from anxiety
Solicitude involves especially the element of desire, not expressed in anxiety, and of hopefulness, not implied in care. — from care
A parent feels constant solicitude for his children's welfare, anxiety as to dangers that threaten it, with care to guard against them. — from care
Synonyms
alarmanxietycareaffrightanguishapprehensionattentioncautionchargecircumspectionconcernconsternationdirectiondismaydisquietdisquietudedisturbancedreadfearforebodingforethoughtfretfulnessfrettingfrightheedmanagementmisgivingoversightpanicperplexityprecautionprudenceterrortimiditytroublevigilancewarinesswatchfulnessworry