petition

Meanings

Noun

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

Verb

• To make a request to, commonly in written form.

Origin

• From Middle English, borrowed from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio ("a request, solicitation"), from peto