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   Pe·ti·tion

   /pəˈtiSHən/

   

   noun

   • 1. a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a particular cause: "she was asked to sign a petition against plans to build on the local playing fields" Similar appealround robinlist of signatures/protesters
   • ▪ an appeal or request, especially a solemn or humble one to a deity or a superior: "a steady stream of petitions to Allah were audible" Similar entreatysupplicationpleaprayerappealrequestapplicationinvocationsuitarchaic:orisonrare:imploration
   • ▪ an application to a court for a writ, judicial action in a suit, etc.: "a divorce petition"

   verb

   • 1. make or present a formal request to (an authority) with respect to a particular cause: "Americans who moved west petitioned Congress for admission to the Union as states"
   • ▪ make a solemn or humble appeal to (a figure of authority): "Russell petitioned her father for her hand in marriage"
   • ▪ make a formal application to (a court) for a writ, judicial action in a suit, etc.: "the custodial parent petitioned the court for payment of the arrears"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Latin petitio(n-), from petit- ‘aimed at, sought, laid claim to’, from the verb petere.

   Derivatives

   • 1. petitionable adjective
   • 2. petitionary adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • P

     3

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

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