expostulation

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

expostulation
    n 1: the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest [syn:
         {expostulation}, {remonstrance}, {remonstration},
         {objection}]
    2: an exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Expostulation \Ex*pos`tu*la"tion\, n. [L. expostulatio.]
   The act of expostulating or reasoning with a person in
   opposition to some impropriety of conduct; remonstrance;
   earnest and kindly protest; dissuasion.
   [1913 Webster]

         We must use expostulation kindly.        --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906)

EXPOSTULATION, n.  One of the many methods by which fools prefer to
lose their friends.

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