noun

supplication

supplication, plea, entreaty

He fell to his knees in supplication.

He fell to his knees in supplication.

Her supplication for mercy was ignored.

Her supplication for mercy was ignored.

in supplication in the act of humbly asking for sth. He fell to his knees in supplication.

supplication ((for sth.)) a humble request for sth. Her supplication for mercy was ignored.

Synonyms: plea, entreaty, petition, prayer

From Latin 'supplicare' (to kneel down), from 'sub-' (under) + 'plicare' (to fold). The image is of folding one's knees to beg.

Imagine someone on their knees, 'supplying' a plea. The 'plic' part relates to 'folding' (like in 'complicate'), as in folding your knees.

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