v. [f. L. expostulāt- ppl. stem of expostulāre, f. ex- (see EX- pref.1) + postulāre, to demand: see POSTULATE.
The L. senses were 1. to demand; 2. to demand the reason for (a person’s conduct); 3. to complain of injury; to remonstrate.]
† 1. trans. To ask for, demand, claim. Obs.
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg, Eng. Hist. (Camden), I. 108. Thei weare constrained to expostulat succors of the Romains.
1548. Hall, Chron. (1809), 484. He hasted … with as much hast as the gravitie of the cause did require and expostulate.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, IV. i. 112. To expostulat a certaine fauour at his lords hands in his behalfe.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., Introd. If men want manlinesse to expostulate the right of their due ransom.
1670. Sir T. Culpeper, Necess. Abating Usury, To Rdr. A 3. To such as yet further expostulate my meaning, I answer [etc.].
† b. With indirect question as obj.: To demand how or why. Obs.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), I. 471. They expostulate how a man that was born blind … should presently know the shapes of trees.
1650. Col. Andrewe, in F. Buckley, Relat. Trial (1660), 71. Some may be so forward as to expostulate, why this great judgment is fallen upon me.
1688–9. Lady Russell, Lett., II. lxxxiv. 11. I cannot … stay to expostulate why I would do so.
† 2. To complain of (grievances); to plead or remonstrate with a person about (conduct). Obs.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 18. They sometimes mildely … expostulate the iniury.
1602. Marston, Ant. & Mel., IV. Wks. 1856, I. 48. Doe not expostulate the heavens will.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1610), 314. Some … seemed to expostulate their griefe with God.
1678. Wanley, Wond. Lit. World, V. i. § 82. 466/2. The Emperour did expostulate the unseemliness of the deed with him.
a. 1716. South, Serm. (1744), X. 192. Being smote upon the face, they expostulated the injury of the blow.
† b. To argue or debate (a matter) as an aggrieved person. Also in wider sense, to debate, argue out, discourse upon. Obs.
1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 31. M. Osburn … must needs … expostulate the matter with your wurship.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 76. Hauing at large expostulated my true meaning.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, 75. Powhatan began to expostulate the difference of Peace and warre after this manner. [Followed by a speech.]
1665. Brathwait, Comment Two Tales, 48. While he thus expostulated the case,… she … clapt the window to.
1765. Colman, Terence, 326. Let us expostulate the matter with her.
1789. Wesley, Wks. (1872), XIII. 123. Do not fail mildly to expostulate the case.
† c. To say or utter in expostulation. Obs.
1577. Fenton, Gold. Epist., 245. We neede not feare the quareller, if we expostulate no words with him.
1741. Richardson, Pamela, I. 75. Let me but expostulate a Word or two with you, Pamela.
† 3. intr. a. To complain, set forth one’s grievances. b. To discourse, discuss, dilate. Obs.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., III. 213. The complaintes … wherein the lord oftentimes doth expostulate of the vnkindenesse of the people.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. v. 135. Nay, stay not to expostulate, make speed.
1605. Tryall Chev., IV. i. in Bullen, O. Pl. (1884), III. 332. But for my haste, I would expostulate of other things.
a. 1644. Heywood, Fortune by Land, II. Wks. 1874, VI. 389. I cannot now stand to expostulate.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), V. 1639. They often expostulate, in a kind of stanza, or recitative.
1773. J. Ross, Fratricide (MS.), VI. 467. Thou who … hast … Expostulated hours on Virtue’s charms!
4. To make friendly remonstrances or representations for the purpose of reprehension or dissuasion; to reason or remonstrate in a friendly manner with (a person), about, for, on, or upon (a thing).
1574. Whitgift, Def. Answ., 704. I haue great cause to expostulate with you for this your vnchristian … and most vniust handling of me.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., King & No K., I. i. (1619), 15. If I haue not euerie night Expostulated with my wandring thoughts.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb. (1704), III. XIV. 411. The Keeper expostulated with him in vain upon the dishonour.
1699. Bentley, Phal., 253. He’ll give me leave to expostulate … about his Conduct.
1726. Cavallier, Mem., IV. 290. I expostulated for the Non-performance of the late Conditions.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, II. iii. 93. The Count followed to expostulate and entreat.
1833. J. H. Newman, Lett. (1891), II. 8. An article from the Editor … expostulating with the imprudence of his ‘friends at Oxford.’
1865. Livingstone, Zambesi, vii. 161. He expostulated with him on the impropriety of such conduct to strangers.
Hence Expostulating vbl. sb., the action of the vb. EXPOSTULATE. Expostulating ppl. a., that expostulates. Expostulatingly adv.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 18. This kinde of expostulating falleth most with persons of equalitie.
1614. Earl Stirling, Doomsday, X. lxxvii. The reprobate … Expostulating blasphemy doe use.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 19 Feb., 6/1. Men, women, and children rushed past the excited and expostulating officers.
1883. Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, in Harper’s Mag., Oct., 697/1. She … laid her hand on one of his expostulatingly.
