supplicate

American  

[suhp-li-keyt] / ˈsʌp lɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used without object)

supplicated, supplicating

1. to pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition.

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verb (used with object)

supplicated, supplicating

1. to pray humbly to; entreat or petition humbly.

   Synonyms:

   beseech, solicit, crave, implore

2. to seek or ask for by humble entreaty.

supplicate British  

/ ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to make a humble request to (someone); plead

2. (tr) to ask for or seek humbly

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Related Words

See appeal.

Other Word Forms

• nonsupplicating
  adjective
• presupplicate
  verb (used with object)
• supplicatingly
  adverb
• supplicatory
  adjective
• unsupplicated
  adjective
• unsupplicating
  adjective
• unsupplicatingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of supplicate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin supplicātus “knelt,” past participle of supplicāre “to kneel,” from supplic-, stem of supplex “submissive, suppliant” ( see supple) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

If you don’t get the grade you were hoping for on your paper, you could try to rewrite it, or you could meet with your teacher and supplicate. Your humble requests for an ‘A’ may or may not work. This verb is derived from the Latin supplicare, “to kneel.” People often supplicate to God for help in the form of prayer, or supplicate to a judge for a lesser sentence. It is usually an earnest petition made to an authority figure and can be perfectly respectable or can be somewhat pitiful, like begging.

Example Sentences

Supplicate God that ye may become heavenly hosts, spreading the oneness of the world of humanity, taking in hand the armor of peace and conquering the hearts with the sword of love.

From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá

Supplicate thou also from God that thou mayest walk in her footsteps and become engaged in the training and guidance of souls.

From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá

Supplicate Heaven with her, to pour down happiness upon a monarch so beloved by his people.

From Eastern Tales by Many Story Tellers by Valentine, L. (Laura)

Supplicate, sup′li-kāt, v.t. to entreat earnestly: to address in prayer.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

The Sermon ended, 'tis the Preacher's way For Blessings on the Auditors to pray, And Supplicate what Doctrines have been said, May thro' their Ears into their Hearts be laid.

From The Female Wits by Anonymous