Petition

Origin

Middle English, from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio ("a request, solicitation"), from petere ("to require, seek, go forward")

Full definition of petition

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.
3. (legal) A formal written request for judicial action.
4. A prayer; a supplication; an entreaty.
• Bible, 1. Macc. vii. 37A house of prayer and petition for thy people.

Verb

1. To make a request, commonly in written form.