pe·ti·tion (pə-tĭsh'ən)
n.

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.

v., -tioned, -tion·ing, -tions.

v.tr.

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

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

[Middle English peticion, from Old French petition, from Latin petītiō, petītiōn-, from petītus, past participle of petere, to request.]

petitionary pe·ti'tion·ar'y (pə-tĭsh'ə-nĕr'ē) adj.
petitioner pe·ti'tion·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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