precatory

[ prek-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or expressing entreaty or supplication:

   precatory overtures.

precatory

/ ˈprɛkətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. rare.
   of, involving, or expressing entreaty; supplicatory Alsoprecativeˈprɛkətɪv

Word History and Origins

Origin of precatory¹

1630–40; < Late Latin precātōrius, equivalent to Latin precā ( rī ) to pray, entreat + -tōrius -tory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of precatory¹

C17: from Late Latin precātōrius relating to petitions, from Latin precārī to beg, pray

Example Sentences

There was something soothing about listening to two hours of Supreme Court arguments Tuesday, as the justices distinguished the “hortatory” from the merely “precatory” and traded hypotheticals about lawn-mowing, tree-planting and war bonds.

From Washington Post

Breyer argued the “shall” was “precatory” language, similar to other congressional measures asking people to buy war bonds or planting a tree.

From Washington Post

As a so-called precatory proposal, it is not legally binding on the company.

From New York Times

The latter part of the Absolution is taken from the ancient Office, and is declaratory, the first clause being precatory.

From Project Gutenberg

The blessing at the end of the office should stand, as in the English Book, in the precatory form; otherwise we might have the anomaly of a benediction pronounced before the end of the service.

From Project Gutenberg