Word of the Day - 06/30/26
expostulate
/ɪk'spɑsʧə,leɪt/(v.): reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion
I tried to expostulate with him about the dangers of his reckless driving, but he was determined to go.
Word Origin
The word 'expostulate' originates from the Latin 'expostulatus', which is the past participle of 'expostulare'. This Latin verb can be broken down into 'ex-' meaning 'out' or 'from', and 'postulare' meaning 'to demand' or 'to ask'. Therefore, 'expostulare' originally meant to 'demand out' or 'question strongly'.
The word 'postulate' shares the same Latin root 'postulare'. While 'expostulate' means to express strong disapproval or disagreement, 'postulate' means to suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of something as a basis for reasoning or discussion, both stemming from the idea of demanding or asserting. The word 'postulant' shares the same origin as 'postulate', and refers literally to 'one who asks': today, especially someone applying to join a religious order or seeking admission to a particular status.