supplicate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb ask humbly (for something)
    • He supplicated the King for clemency
  2. verb make a humble, earnest petition
    • supplicate for permission
  3. verb ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
    • supplicate God's blessing

WordNet

Sup"pli*cate transitive verb
Etymology
L. supplicatus, p.p. of supplicare to supplicate; of uncertain origin, cf. supplex, supplicis, humbly begging or entreating; perhaps fr. sub under + a word akin to placare to reconcile, appease (cf. Placable), or fr. sub under + plicare to fold, whence the idea of bending the knees (cf. Ply, v. t.). Cf. Supple.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Supplicated ; present participle & verbal noun Supplicating
Definitions
  1. To entreat for; to seek by earnest prayer; to ask for earnestly and humbly; as, to supplicate blessings on Christian efforts to spread the gospel.
  2. To address in prayer; to entreat as a supplicant; as, to supplicate the Deity. Syn. -- To beseech; entreat; beg; petition; implore; importune; solicit; crave. See Beseech.
Sup"pli*cate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make petition with earnestness and submission; to implore.
    A man can not brook to supplicate or beg. Bacon.

Webster 1913