precatory

[ prek-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or expressing entreaty or supplication:

   precatory overtures.

precatory

/ -trɪ; ˈprɛkətərɪ /

adjective

1. rare.
   of, involving, or expressing entreaty; supplicatory Alsoprecativeˈprɛkətɪv

Word History and Origins

Origin of precatory¹

1630–40; < Late Latin precātōrius, equivalent to Latin precā ( rī ) to pray, entreat + -tōrius -tory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of precatory¹

C17: from Late Latin precātōrius relating to petitions, from Latin precārī to beg, pray

Example Sentences

Still this sense has pleased the editors, and they have made "of goodnesse" a precatory and interjectional expression.

From Project Gutenberg

The primitive forms of absolution, when confession was made to a priest, were precatory rather than declaratory.

From Project Gutenberg

The original form of absolution was “precatory rather than declaratory” (Plummer).

From Project Gutenberg

For this reason, recommendatory or precatory words used in a bequest are frequently treated as an express direction.

From Project Gutenberg

She got as far as Mattaincourt, sending fresh precatory letters to faithless Charles.

From Project Gutenberg