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.
Supplication to man may diffuse itself through many topics of persuasion; but supplication to God can only cry for mercy.
From Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 by Wilson, John
Let us keep this place, and believe even now that our intercession is heard, and that the Spirit of Supplication will be given all around us.
From The Ministry of Intercession A Plea for More Prayer by Murray, Andrew
But long before this obscure and arbitrary act was passed, Henry's mind had been a little shaken against papacy from a singular work, published by one Fish, called "The Supplication of Beggers."
From Bibliomania; or Book-Madness A Bibliographical Romance by Dibdin, Thomas Frognall
Similar to this is the Prayer of Intense Supplication, in the Liturgy of S. Chrysostom.
From The Prayer Book Explained by Jackson, Percival
I will pour out upon the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and Supplication; and they shall look unto Me whom they pierced.”—Zech. xii. 10.
From The Ministry of Intercession A Plea for More Prayer by Murray, Andrew
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.
