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supplicate - Word of the Day - Sun Sep 13, 2026

Myr

Entry posted by Myr in Word of the Day

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supplicate - (v) - ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly

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As the drought worsened, the villagers gathered at the temple to supplicate for rain and relief from their hardship.

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Use supplicate instead of a more common verb like beg when you want to convey humility, desperation, or a solemn appeal, especially in historical, literary, or religious contexts.

 

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drpaladin

drpaladin 120,107
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Sunday is the traditional day to suplicate.

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Bill W

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Supplication means a humble and earnest request, plea, or prayer to someone in power or to a deity.  It comes from the Latin verb supplicare, meaning "to beg humbly" or "to plead".  The word entered Middle English in the late 14th century as supplicacioun, borrowed from Old French suplicacion (meaning "humble request") and directly from the Latin noun supplicationem.  

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the verb supplicate was first used in English in 1417.,  The related noun supplication appeared even earlier, with recorded evidence dating from before 1393.  

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sandrewn

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Just the facts:

SUPPLICATE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

SUPPLICATE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

SUPPLICATION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

SUPPLICATION Synonyms: 19 Similar Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

SUPPLICATING Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

SUPPLICATORY Synonyms: 13 Similar Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

SUPPLICANT Synonyms: 26 Similar Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

 

:cowboy:

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sandrewn

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18 hours ago, drpaladin said:

Sunday is the traditional day to suplicate.

I think it is important, but really, a show and tell day. Dressing up in your Sunday finest(52 times a year).

It is what you do, when no one is watching(the other 313 days), that makes all the difference.

 

sandrewn

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drpaladin

drpaladin 120,107
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1 hour ago, sandrewn said:

I think it is important, but really, a show and tell day. Dressing up in your Sunday finest(52 times a year).

It is what you do, when no one is watching(the other 313 days), that makes all the difference.

 

sandrewn

Ah, but your thoughts of grace through deeds has nothing to do with suplication.

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Bill W

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In storytelling, the act of supplication--humbly begging, pleading, or praying for help from a higher power, authority figure, or adversary--serves as a powerful narrative engine.   It shifts the story's power dynamics and forces characters to confront their own limitations.  

Strips Character of Control and Ego:  
Supplication requires a total surrender of pride. When a protagonist falls to their knees to beg, it signals to the audience that they have exhausted all other options (strength, wit, wealth, or magic). This vulnerability makes the character deeply relatable, stripping away their armor to reveal their core humanity.  

Creates Intense Dramatic Tension:  |
A scene built around supplication is naturally high-stakes because the outcome rests entirely in someone else's hands.  
It introduces absolute powerlessness for the applicant.  
It creates moral conflict for the person holding the power.  
The audience is left in suspense: Will the request be met with mercy, cruelty, or a heavy hidden cost?  

Propels the Plot and Character Arcs:  |
Supplication is rarely a passive moment; it is a catalyst for major narrative shifts: |
The Refusal: If the plea is denied, it forces the character into a desperate "all hope is lost" corner, often sparking a dark turn or a new, independent resolve.  
The Faustian Bargain: If the plea is answered by an untrustworthy entity, it binds the character to a debt, setting up future conflicts.  
The Transformation: For arrogant or stubborn characters, being forced to supplicate is often the exact crucible needed for their growth and humility.  

Mirrored Dynamics in Classic Storytelling:  

Context The Supplicant The Authority Narrative Impact
Mythology & Religion   A mortal hero or    desperate parent Gods, titans, or fates  Establishes the cosmic order; tests the mortal's faith or humility.

Tragedy & Drama 		  A defeated king or   captive A conquering enemy or tyrant  Highlights the tragic fall from grace (e.g., King Priam begging         Achilles for Hector's body in The Iliad).

Dark Fantasy / Sci-Fi 		A desperate protagonist A monster, AI, or cosmic entity  Emphasizes horror and the terrifying scale of the antagonist's power.
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