pe·ti·tion 
(pə-tĭshən)
(pə-tĭshən)n.
1. A solemn supplication or request, especially to a superior authority; an entreaty.
2. A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
3. Law
a. A formal written application seeking a court's intervention and action on a matter: a petition for review of a previous court's decision.
b. A pleading initiating a legal case in some civil courts: a bankruptcy petition.
4. Something requested or entreated: granted our petition.
v. pe·ti·tioned, pe·ti·tion·ing, pe·ti·tions
v.tr.
1. To address a petition to: petitioned the king for a pardon.
2. To ask for by petition; request formally: petitioned that the sentence be reduced.
v.intr.
To make a request, especially formally: petitioned for retrial.
[Middle English peticion, from Old French petition, from Latin petītiō, petītiōn-, from petītus, past participle of petere, to request; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
pe·tition·ar′y (pə-tĭshə-nĕr′ē) adj.
pe·tition·er n.