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View synonyms for

petition

[ puh-tish-uhn ]

noun

  1. a formally drawn request, often bearing the names of a number of those making the request, that is addressed to a person or group of persons in authority or power, soliciting some favor, right, mercy, or other benefit:

    a petition for clemency; a petition for the repeal of an unfair law.

    Synonyms:

  2. a request made for something desired, especially a respectful or humble request, as to a superior or to one of those in authority; a supplication or prayer:

    a petition for aid; a petition to God for courage and strength.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. something that is sought by request or entreaty:

    to receive one's full petition.

  4. Law. an application for a court order or for some judicial action.


verb (used with object)

  1. to beg for or request (something).
  2. to address a formal petition to (a sovereign, a legislative body, etc.):

    He received everything for which he had petitioned the king.

  3. to ask by petition for (something).

verb (used without object)

  1. to present a petition.
  2. to address or present a formal petition.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. to request or solicit, as by a petition:

    to petition for redress of grievances.

petition

/ ɪˈɪʃə /

noun

  1. a written document signed by a large number of people demanding some form of action from a government or other authority
  2. any formal request to a higher authority or deity; entreaty
  3. law a formal application in writing made to a court asking for some specific judicial action

    a petition for divorce

  4. the action of petitioning
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to address or present a petition to (a person in authority, government, etc)

    to petition Parliament

  2. intrfoll byfor to seek by petition

    to petition for a change in the law

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈپپDzԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·پtDz·· adjective
  • ·پtDz· ·پtDz· noun
  • dzܲt··پtDz noun verb
  • p·پtDz noun verb (used with object)
  • -·پtDz verb (used with object)
  • ܲp·پtDzԱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of petition1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English peticioun, from Middle French peticion, from Latin īپō-, stem of īپō “an attack, request,” from ī(ܲ) “assaulted, sought” (past participle of petere “to assault, head for, seek”) + -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of petition1

C14: from Latin īپō, from petere to seek
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Synonym Study

See appeal.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The demand comes as the State Bar petitions the court to adjust test scores for hundreds of prospective California lawyers who complained of multiple technical problems and irregularities during the February exams.

From

The Department for Education have been contacted for a comment about Bethany's petition.

From

By law the president should have given copies of the petition to the chief justice before suspending her, which he initially failed to do.

From

Her petition calling for the sport to be banned is the most signed in Scottish parliamentary history.

From

Amazon did not file any such petition, according to the complaint.

From

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