obsĕcrātĭo, ōnis, f. [obsecro].
I In gen., a beseeching, imploring, supplication, entreaty (class.): prece et obsecratione humili uti, Cic. Inv. 1, 16, 22; id. Font. 17, 39: judicum, addressed to the judges , 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.