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.
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
In his characteristic manner, the judge mixed commendation, supplication and insinuation, mangling metaphors and whole sentences in service of cutting insights.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024
Pilgrims raised their hands in supplication, took selfies or video, and phoned their relatives as they performed the tawaf.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2023
“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
He smiles at me, shaking his head as he steps towards me, his hands still raised in supplication.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
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.
