expostulation

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ex·pos·tu·late

(ĭk-spŏs′chə-lāt′)

v. ex·pos·tu·lat·ed, ex·pos·tu·lat·ing, ex·pos·tu·lates

v.intr.

To reason earnestly with someone in an effort to dissuade or correct; remonstrate. See Synonyms at object.

v.tr.

To say in protest; object: "[He] expostulated that they had every right to hold a street meeting" (Pierre Berton).

[Latin expostulāre, expostulāt- : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + postulāre, to demand; see prek- in Indo-European roots.]

ex·pos′tu·la′tion n.

ex·pos′tu·la′tor n.

ex·pos′tu·la·to′ry (-lə-tôr′ē), ex·pos′tu·la′tive adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ex•pos•tu•la•tion

(ɪkˌspɒs tʃəˈleɪ ʃən)

n.

an act or instance of expostulating.

[1580–90; < Latin]

ex•pos′tu•la•to`ry (-ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i) ex•pos′tu•la`tive (-ˌleɪ tɪv) adj.

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Noun	1.	expostulation - the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest objection, remonstrance, remonstration communicating, communication - the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information; "they could not act without official communication from Moscow"
	2.	expostulation - an exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof exclaiming, exclamation - an abrupt excited utterance; "she gave an exclamation of delight"; "there was much exclaiming over it"

expostulation

noun

The act of expressing strong or reasoned opposition:

challenge, demur, exception, objection, protest, protestation, remonstrance, remonstration, squawk.

Slang: kick.

Translations

protesta rimostranza

expostulation

[ɪksˌpɒstjʊˈleɪʃən] N → protesta f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

expostulation

n → Protest m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

expostulation

[ɪksˌpɒstjʊˈleɪʃ/ən] n (frm) → rimostranza

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in classic literature ?

Use also such persons as affect the business, wherein they are employed; for that quickeneth much; and such, as are fit for the matter; as bold men for expostulation, fair-spoken men for persuasion, crafty men for inquiry and observation, froward, and absurd men, for business that doth not well bear out itself.

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But though Mrs Miller did not refrain from a short expostulation in private at their first meeting, yet the occasion of his being summoned downstairs that morning was of a much more agreeable kind, being indeed to perform the office of a father to Miss Nancy, and to give her in wedlock to Mr Nightingale, who was now ready drest, and full as sober as many of my readers will think a man ought to be who receives a wife in so imprudent a manner.

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Then I heard the key turn in the lock, and Montgomery's voice in expostulation.

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Lady Janet lifted her bright black eyes in mute expostulation to the carved Cupids and wreaths on the dining-room ceiling.

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For several years my husband received letters of expostulation or commendation from members of the Campbell and Stewart clans.

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He was moving towards her to change places, but her terrified expostulation stopped him and he resumed his seat.

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"And how have I neglected it?" asked Ferrier, throwing out his hands in expostulation. "Have I not given to the common fund?

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Without further expostulation or delay, Hester Prynne drained the cup, and, at the motion of the man of skill, seated herself on the bed, where the child was sleeping; while he drew the only chair which the room afforded, and took his own seat beside her.

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Concluding her address of expostulation in those terms, Miss Garth led Norah to the library door, pushed Magdalen into the morning-room, and went on her own way sternly to the regions of the medicine-chest.

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Miss Bingley warmly resented the indignity he had received, in an expostulation with her brother for talking such nonsense.

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And then her cooing voice, plaintive in expostulation, disturbed the darkness, the velvet touch of her lips passed over his brow, and he could distinguish in the air the warmth of her breath.

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Whereupon Michael would look about the glasses on the table and begin his usual expostulation with the waiter.