petition
UK[pəˈtɪʃ(ə)n]US[pəˈtɪʃ(ə)n]
n
a formal written request, especially one signed by many people, appealing to authority for a cause
n
an official document submitted to a court asking for a specific legal action
v
to make a formal request to an authority, especially by submitting a petition
Morpheme Breakdown
petit
ion
petit
seek
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'petition' originates from the latin verb 'petere', meaning to seek, aim at, or request. this root is shared by many english words like 'compete' (to seek together) and 'appetite' (a seeking for). the suffix '-ion' was added to form the latin noun 'petitionem', denoting the act of seeking or a formal request. entering english via old french, the word retained its core legal and formal sense of a written supplication or application to an authority, a meaning directly evolved from its literal latin components.
Analysis
Structure: petit (seek) + ion (noun suffix)
petit (from latin 'petere', meaning to seek, aim at, request); ion (from latin '-ionem', a suffix forming nouns denoting action or condition)
Examples
they started a petition to save the local library from closure.
the lawyer filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
the citizens decided to petition the city council for better street lighting.