An earnest protest or remonstrance; an expression of disagreement or disapproval, typically in response to someone's actions or decisions. A formal objection or argument against something.
From Latin expostulare, meaning 'to demand urgently.' Composed of ex- (out) and postulare (to demand). Originally used in legal contexts for formal demands or complaints, it evolved to describe any earnest protest or objection.
Picture someone 'posting' their objection loudly and urgently - that's expostulation! The 'postul-' root appears in 'postulate' (to demand as true), connecting ideas of demanding and insisting on a point.
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