supplication
Americannoun
noun
-
the act of supplicating
-
a humble entreaty or petition; prayer
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of supplication
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin supplicātiōn-, stem of supplicātiō; equivalent to supplicate + -ion
Explanation
Think of a supplication as sort of a prayer, a request for help from a deity. The word carries a sense of awe and adoration with it, suggesting something tentative, even servile, a respectful appeal to a higher power. Although it is a noun, supplication comes from the Latin verb supplicare, which means "to plead humbly." While a supplication is often thought of as a religious prayer (it is used 60 times in the Bible), it can logically be applied to any situation in which you must entreat someone in power for help or a favor. Still, it carries with it an aura of religiosity and deep entreaty, and should not be used to describe just any simple request.
Vocabulary lists containing supplication
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
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Grade 12, List 3
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Their Eyes Were Watching God
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hell, most Old Testament patriarchs aren’t as demanding of loyalty and filial supplication as Rupert Murdoch, save for God himself.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026
He would wear the appropriate religious attire for each setting, sometimes knelt in supplication and on occasion was moved to tears by sermons.
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2024
“Two hundred years ago, the Congress of the United States issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation stating that it was ‘the indispensable duty of all nations to offer both praise and supplication to God.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 23, 2022
A row of dancers bathed in red light kneel before a narrow reflecting pool at the edge of the stage, their arms extended in a gesture of supplication.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2022
Her astonishment was almost greater than her fear of him, which was real enough, and she pulled herself up, dazed, and seized his shirt in supplication.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
