expostulate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion

WordNet


Ex*pos"tu*late intransitive verb
Etymology
L. expostulatus, p.p. of expostulare to demand vehemently; ex out + postulare to ask, require. See Postulate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Expostulated;present participle & verbal noun Expostulating
Definitions
  1. To reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of his conduct, representing the wrong he has done or intends, and urging him to make redress or to desist; to remonstrate; -- followed by with.
    Men expostulate with erring friends; they bring accusations against enemies who have done them a wrong. Jowett (Thuc. ).
    Syn. -- To remonstrate; reason. See Remonstrate.
Ex*pos"tu*late transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To discuss; to examine. Obs.
    To expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is. Shak.

Webster 1913