petition

Etymology

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio, petitionem (“a request, solicitation”), from petere (“to require, seek, go forward”).

noun

1. A formal, written request made to an official person or organized body, often containing many signatures.
2. A compilation of signatures built in order to exert moral authority in support of a specific cause.
   We're looking to get 10,000 people to sign the petition to have the bird colony given legal protection.
3. (law) A formal written request for judicial action.
4. A prayer; a supplication; an entreaty.

verb

1. (transitive) To make a request to, commonly in written form.
   The villagers petitioned the council to demolish the dangerous building.