expostulation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an earnest expression of disagreement, protest, or complaint intended to persuade someone

   Her expostulation grew louder when the officials refused to reconsider.

2. 2
   noun

   the act of reasoning earnestly with someone in order to dissuade or correct them

   Despite his friend's expostulation, he persisted with the dangerous plan.

From Latin expostulatio ("complaint, urgent demand"), from expostulare ("to demand, complain, or remonstrate"), built from ex- ("out, thoroughly") + postulare ("to ask, demand"). English expostulation came to emphasize earnest verbal protest or persuasion.

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