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# petition

noun (a petition, petitions); verb (petition, petitions, petitioned, petitioning)

«petition» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A petition is a written request, signed by many people, asking someone in power to do or change something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#m1)
2. To petition someone is to make a formal request to them, often with a petition. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#m2)
3. (law) A formal written request to a court. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#m3)
4. (church) A prayer that asks God for something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#m4)

### In the lessons

In citizenship lessons, pupils learn that a petition is a peaceful way to ask for change, such as a new crossing near school. Online petitions collect signatures. In church, the prayers of petition ask God for help. Phrases: «sign a petition», «start a petition», «petition the council», «a petition for divorce» (law).

### Examples

- We started a petition for a new zebra crossing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x1)
- Over five hundred people signed our petition. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x2)
- The children petitioned the head teacher for a longer break. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x3)
- The petition was handed to the mayor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x4)
- In church we prayed petitions for the sick. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x5)
- Mum signed an online petition to save the library. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x6)
- The court received a petition from the family. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x7)
- So they sent a petition to Jupiter asking for a king. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/#x8)

### Note

Noun and verb; past «petitioned». A petitioner is a person who makes a petition. Maths: count the signatures and compare with a target (e.g. «we need a thousand; we have six hundred, so we need four hundred more»).

## In Jewish tradition

A request or plea, as to a king or to God. Esther made one to the king, and Daniel and Hannah to God.

**Interpretation.** The tradition sees Hannah's petition as a model of prayer from the heart. Esther's petition shows courage in pleading for her people.

### Examples

- Then answered Esther, and said: 'My petition and my request is — (Writings EST.5.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/petition/#x1)
- Then these men came tumultuously, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. (Writings DAN.6.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/petition/#x2)
- For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath granted me my petition which I asked of Him; (Prophets 1SA.1.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/petition/#x3)

### Note

Noun and verb; past «petitioned». A petitioner is a person who makes a petition. Maths: count the signatures and compare with a target (e.g. «we need a thousand; we have six hundred, so we need four hundred more»).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «petition» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/petition/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«petition» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/petition.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «petition» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/petition/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«petition» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/petition.html) on Mova free.