Supplicatory

Supplicatory is an adjective describing acts, language, or gestures that express supplication, entreaty, or prayerful petition. It typically characterizes language or behavior that is humble, pleading, or deferential, often directed toward a higher authority, such as a deity or a ruler.

The term derives from supplication and from Latin supplicatio, with roots in supplex meaning kneeling or bent in submission. In historical contexts, supplicatory acts or petitions were formal appeals to those in power, often invoking humility and mercy. In religious contexts, supplicatory prayer conveys earnest petition to a deity.

Usage of supplicatory is somewhat formal or literary. It is commonly applied to prayers, addresses, or gestures that convey earnest pleading. For example, a supplicatory petition might be presented to a sovereign, or a supplicatory gesture may accompany a plea for mercy. The term is distinct from supplicant, the person who makes the plea, and from supplication, the act or instance of begging or praying.

See also: supplication, supplicant, prayer, petition, entreaty. Supplicatory language can be contrasted with more assertive or directive rhetoric, as it emphasizes humility and pleading rather than command. While still used in modern prose, the word often evokes historical or literary tone.