Definition of petition

< petit four

petitio principii >

pe·ti·tion    (p-tshn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A solemn supplication or request to a superior authority; an entreaty.
2. A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
3. Law
   1. A formal written application requesting a court for a specific judicial action: a petition for appeal.
   2. The judicial action asked for in any such request.
4. Something requested or entreated.

VERB:
pe·ti·tioned, pe·ti·tion·ing, pe·ti·tions
VERB:
tr.

1. To address a petition to.
2. To ask for by petition; request formally.

VERB:
intr.

To make a request, especially formally: petitioned for retrial.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English peticion, from Old French petition, from Latin petti, pettin-, from pettus, past participle of petere, to request; see pet- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pe·tition·ary  (p-tsh-nr) KEY (Adjective), pe·tition·er(Noun)