n.[C]

1. 请愿；请愿书[（+for/against）]
   A thousand people signed the petition.

   一千人在请愿书上签了名。

2. 请求，申请；（向法院递交的）申请书[（+for）]
   The neighbours submitted a petition asking the town to put up traffic lights near the school.

   邻居们正式请求市里在学校附近设置红绿灯。

   She has filed a petition for divorce.

   她已向法院申请离婚。

3. 祈求，祈祷

vt.

1. 向……请愿；请求；祈求[（+for）][O2]
   They petitioned the Government for the release of the political prisoners.

   他们向政府请愿要求释放政治犯。

vi.

1. 请愿；请求[（+for）][+to-v]
   They petitioned for pardon.

   他们请愿要求赦免。

n.

1. a formal written request, typically signed by many people, appealing to authority in respect of a cause.
   ▸an appeal or request.
2. Law  an application to a court for a writ, judicial action in a suit, etc.

v.