Petition some people admired (5)
I believe the answer is:
plead
'petition' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'some people admired' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'PLEAD' is hidden in the letters of 'people admired'.
(Other definitions for plead that I've seen before include "Argue (a position in court)" , "Argue (for a cause)" , "State whether one is guilty or not" , "Appeal earnestly" , "Beg, implore" .)