rogation

[roh-gey-shuh n]

noun

Usually rogations. Ecclesiastical. solemn supplication, especially as chanted during procession on the three days (Rogation Days) before Ascension Day.
Roman History.
1. the proposing by the consuls or tribunes of a law to be passed by the people.
2. a law so proposed.

Origin of rogation

1350–1400; Middle English rogacio(u)n < Latin rogātiōn- (stem of rogātiō), equivalent to rogāt(us) (past participle of rogāre to ask, beg) + -iōn- -ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for rogation days

Rogation Days

pl n

April 25 (the Major Rogation) and the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day, observed by Christians as days of solemn supplication for the harvest and marked by processions, special prayers, and blessing of the crops

rogation

noun

(usually plural) Christianity a solemn supplication, esp in a form of ceremony prescribed by the Church

Word Origin for rogation

C14: from Latin rogātiō, from rogāre to ask, make supplication

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rogation days

rogation

late 14c., from Latin rogationem (nominative rogatio) "an asking, prayer, entreaty," noun of action from past participle stem of rogare "to ask," apparently a figurative use and meaning literally "to stretch out (the hand)," from PIE *rog-, 0-grade form of root *reg- "move in a straight line" (see regal). Related: Rogations.

Rogation days were the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day, a time for processions round fields blessing crops and praying for good harvest, also blessing the boundary markers of each parish. Discouraged by Protestants as superstitious, but continued or revived in modified form as beating the bounds.