ETYM French pétition, Latin petitio, from petere, petitum, to beg, ask, seek; perh. akin to Eng. feather, or find.
1. A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it.
2. (Law) A request to government, in any of its branches, for the granting of a particular request or right.
3. A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to one's god.