petition

Meaning

Noun

1. A formal, written request made to an official person or organized body, often containing many signatures.
2. A compilation of signatures built in order to exert moral authority in support of a specific cause.
3. A formal written request for judicial action.
4. A prayer; a supplication; an entreaty.

Verb

To make a request to, commonly in written form.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pəˈtɪʃ.ən/

Etymology

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio, petitionem (“a request, solicitation”), from petere (“to require, seek, go forward”).