petition (subs.) Copy link Outline I. Generally, a request; esp. as addressed to GodII. A memorial addressed to a sovereign • petition (subs.): I. Generally, a request; esp. as addressed to God: prĕcis, em, e, f.: v. prayer. To offer up p.s, precari: v. to pray. II. A memorial addressed to a sovereign: lĭbellus: to deliver a p. to any one, l. alicui dare, Cic. Att. 16, 16, A.; l. porrigere (hold it out in the hand), Suet. Aug. 53: more definitely, supplex libellus, Mart. 8, 31: to have the charge of p.s, libellos agere, Tryph. Dig. 20, 5, 12.