expostulation

Definition

The act of reasoning earnestly in order to dissuade or remonstrate.

Etymology

From Latin expostulātiōnem, accusative singular of expostulātiō (“complaint, expostulation”), from expostulō (“demand, expostulate”), from ex (“out of, from”) + postulō (“demand or claim”). See expostulate.

Example Sentences

• "At length, by dint of much wriggling, and loud and incessant expostulations upon the unbecomingness of his hugging a fellow male in that matrimonial sort of style, I succeeded in extracting a grunt […]"
• "The official declined to listen to any expostulations."

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