Earnestly ask (7)
I believe the answer is:
entreat
'earnestly ask' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for entreat that I've seen before include "Ask (someone) anxiously" , "Beg earnestly or emotionally" , "Ask (someone) earnestly" , "Beg earnestly, appeal" , "Beseech, implore" .)