1
- a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority in respect of a particular cause请愿书：
she was asked to sign a petition against plans to build on the local playing fields.
她被要求在请愿书上签名, 反对在当地运动场上修建房屋的计划。
1.1
- an appeal or request, especially a solemn or humble one to a deity or a superior请愿; 申请; 正式的请求; 祈求。
1.2
- Law an application to a court for a writ, judicial action in a suit, etc.【律】申请书, 诉状：
a divorce petition.
离婚申请。
with obj.
1- make or present a formal request to (an authority) in respect of a particular cause向…请愿：
the organization is petitioning the EC for a moratorium on the patenting of life
该组织正在向欧洲共同体请愿, 要求暂时禁止申请生命体专利
with obj. and infinitive the islanders petitioned the government to help them leave St Kilda.圣基尔达岛岛民请求政府帮助他们撤离该岛。
1.1
- make a solemn or humble appeal to (a figure of authority)正式请求; 祈求：
a Highland chief petitioned her father for her hand in marriage.
一位高地酋长祈求她父亲准许她和他成婚。
1.2
- Law make a formal application to (a court) for a writ, judicial action in a suit, etc.【律】要求, 正式请求：
the custodial parent petitioned the court for payment of the arrears
监护人向法院请求支付欠款
no obj. the Act allowed couples to petition for divorce after one year of marriage.这项法案允许夫妇结婚一年后申请离婚。
派生词
petitionary
adjectivepetitioner
noun词源
Middle English: from Latin petitio（n-）, from petit- 'aimed at, sought, laid claim to', from the verb petere.