1.petition的基本意思是正式而具体的请求某人或某机构做某事,常以书面形式呈交给有权答应请求的人或机构,含有请求人相信其请求合理的意味。
2.petition既可用作及物动词,也可用作不及物动词。作及物动词时,后可接名词、代词或从句作宾语。
3.petition还可接由“pron./n.+to-v/for sth ”构成的双宾语。

petition for(v.+prep.)
申请; 请求给予 ask sb formally for a favour
▲petition for sth/v-ing
He petitioned for a retrial.他请求重新审理。
The defendant's lawyer petitioned for a new trial.被告律师上书请求重新审判。
▲petition sb for sth/v-ing
The local people have again petitioned the council for improved street lighting.当地居民再次请求市政会改进街道照明。
They are petitioning their employers for better working condition.他们向雇主请愿,要求改善工作条件。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～+to-v
The people petitioned to be allowed to return to their island.这些人提出请愿,请求允许他们回到自己的岛上。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
They petitioned the President.他们向总统请愿。
▲S+～+that-clause
They petitioned that the case should be retried.他们请求复审此案。
▲S+～+n./pron.+to-v
They petitioned the government to reconsider its decision.他们请求政府重新考虑其决定。

petition还可用作可数名词,基本意思是“请愿; 请愿书; 诉状”。例如：
The villagers all signed a petition asking for a hospital to be built. 村民们都在请愿书上签名要求建一所医院。