petition
pronunciation
How to pronounce petition in British English:
UK [pəˈtɪʃn]
How to pronounce petition in American English:
US [pəˈtɪʃn]
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- Noun:
- a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
- reverent petition to a deity
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- Verb:
- write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
Word Origin
- petition
- petition: see repeat
- petition (n.)
- early 14c., "a supplication or prayer, especially to a deity," from Old French peticion "request, petition" (12c., Modern French pétition) and directly from Latin petitionem (nominative petitio) "a blow, thrust, attack, aim; a seeking, searching," in law "a claim, suit," noun of action from past participle stem of petere "to make for, go to; attack, assail; seek, strive after; ask for, beg, beseech, request; fetch; derive; demand, require," from PIE root *pet-, also *pete- "to rush; to fly" (cognates: Sanskrit pattram "wing, feather, leaf," patara- "flying, fleeting;" Hittite pittar "wing;" Greek piptein "to fall," potamos "rushing water," pteryx "wing;" Old English feðer "feather;" Latin penna "feather, wing;" Old Church Slavonic pero "feather;" Old Welsh eterin "bird"). Meaning "formal written request to a superior (earthly)" is attested from early 15c.
- petition (v.)
- c. 1600, from petition (n.). Related: Petitioned; petitioning.
Synonym
Example
- 1. But fewer than 2000 people have signed its petition .
- 2. More than 1.8 mpeople have signed an online petition .
- 3. He is thrilled that many jews signed his petition .
- 4. His petition will be disregarded , according to an official .
- 5. It is easy to click on a petition and then do nothing else .