Supplicate
/ˈsʌp.lɪ.keɪt/noun
To ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly, especially in prayer.
Did you know?Its root is the same one behind words for bending, folding, and even being subservient—because in ancient Latin, asking for mercy was imagined as physically lowering yourself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sekʷ-
“to follow, bend, or go after”
Latin
Latin
supplicāre
“to kneel down, beg, implore”
Latin
Latin
supplex
“kneeling, beseeching”
Old French
OF
suppli(er)
“to entreat, beg”
14th Century
English
supplicaten
“to beg earnestly, make humble petition”
Modern English
English
supplicate
“to ask humbly or earnestly for something”