ikˈspäschəˌlāt, ek-, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin expostulatus, past participle of expostulare, from ex- ex- (I) + postulare to ask for, demand — more at postulate
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to call for : demand
2. obsolete
a. : discuss , examine
b. : to complain of
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to talk earnestly : complain
2. : to reason earnestly with a person for purposes of dissuasion or remonstrance : remonstrate
it is useless to expostulate with a stubborn man
send for the maître d'hôtel; you have a right to expostulate — Margaret Lane
reporters at his press conference expostulated against playing favorites — New Republic
Synonyms: see object