Definition of "expostulation" []

• The act of reasoning earnestly in order to dissuade or remonstrate. (noun)
• A comment of earnest reasoning meant to dissuade or remonstrate. (noun)

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• "The amount of anticipatory glee I have while awaiting a Biden expostulation is no doubt directly proportional to the angst Obama feels with the same anticipation."
• "One was whipped deftly on to his plate, and as he took up his knife and fork to carve it, a great scuffling sounded without, angry voices being raised in expostulation, and, above all, a breathless, insistent appeal for Mr. Carr or Sir Miles."
• "Well, Daddy! said Norah in expostulation – whereat everybody laughed."