pe·ti·tion 1 n
1: a formal written request made to an official person or body (as a court or board)
a petition for equitable relief
the creditor filed a petition for involuntary bankruptcy
2: a document embodying a formal written request
petition 2 vt: to direct a petition to
petition the court
vi: to make a petition
petition for relief
pe·ti·tion·er n
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.