petitionary

[puh-tish-uh-ner-ee]

adjective

1. of the nature of or expressing a petition.

2. Archaic.,  petitioning; suppliant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of petitionary¹

First recorded in 1570–80; petition + -ary

Example Sentences

This highest form of prayer in Class B merges almost imperceptibly into Class C, where prayer loses its petitionary character, and becomes either a meditation on, or a worship of, God.

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Do its requests represent the best modern conception of prayer as an inward aspiration rather than as petitionary?

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Then, there is another aspect of petitionary prayer which demands a passing notice.

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This logic even the Hyperborean understands; fast enough, with apologetic, petitionary growl, he sidles off; and, except for suicidal as well as homicidal purposes, need not return.

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Conversely, the State may revoke an improvident grant of the public petitionary without recourse to the power of eminent domain, such a grant being inherently beyond the power of the State to make.

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