EXPOSTULATE

expostulate

(verb) reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

expostulate (third-person singular simple present expostulates, present participle expostulating, simple past and past participle expostulated)

(intransitive) To protest or remonstrate; to reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of conduct.

Synonyms

• challenge, demur, except, inveigh, kick, object, protest, remonstrate, squawk

Source: Wiktionary


Ex*pos"tu*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Expostulated();p. pr. & vb. n. Expostulating.] Etym: [L. expostulatus, p.p. of expostulare to demand vehemently; ex out + postulare to ask, require. See Postulate.]

Definition: To reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of his conduct, representing the wrong he has done or intends, and urging him to make redress or to desist; to remonstrate; -- followed by with. Men expostulate with erring friends; they bring accusations against enemies who have done them a wrong. Jowett (Thuc. ).

Syn.

– To remonstrate; reason. See Remonstrate.

Ex*pos"tu*late, v. t.

Definition: To discuss; to examine. [Obs.] To expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

5 November 2024

TEMPORIZE

(verb) draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time; “The speaker temporized in order to delay the vote”


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Coffee Trivia

The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.

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