obsĕcrātĭo

I. In gen., a beseeching, imploring, supplication, entreaty (class.): prece et obsecratione humili uti, Cic. Inv. 1, 16, 22; id. Font. 17, 39: judicum, Quint. 6, 1, 33: percipe obsecrationem meam, Vulg. Psa. 142, 1: fit ad Deum pro illis, id. Rom. 10, 1.—

II. In partic.

A. An asseveration, protestation, accompanied by an invocation of the gods or of religious things, Gr. δέησις, Cic. de Or. 3, 53, 105; cf. Just. 24, 2, 5; cf. Macr. S. 1, 6, 13.—

B. A public prayer: obsecrationem indicere, Liv. 27, 11; id. 4, 21; 26, 23; 31, 9; Cic. Har. Resp. 28 fin.: habere, Suet. Caes. 22.