Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🙏 A person asking 🤲 Humbly asking 💻 A client device
supplicant

supplicant

5 8.7
A person who asks or prays for something in a humble way
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌplɪkənt/
  • Formal
: suplicante
  • The supplicant approached the altar, hoping for mercy and forgiveness for past mistakes.

God, me, you, that's what every exorcism is about, the exorcist, the supplicant, and God.

Examples

  • In the temple, she knelt as a devoted supplicant, asking for blessings from the deity.

  • "In this prayer, the supplicant prays: "Give us this day our daily bread."

    Academic text (2001)

  • If she remained, then her role was that of a supplicant, anxious to cut a deal.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • If you can achieve that, you will not be a supplicant but an equal of the gods.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Prepare the supplicant for sacrifice.

    Judge Dredd (1995)

  • Various supplicants, a local butcher, an old lady, etc., wait for a papal audience.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • God, me, you, that's what every exorcism is about, the exorcist, the supplicant, and God.

    Danny Jones

  • On either side of God the Father kneel supplicants, most likely the Apostles with Saint Joseph.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Dear God, if it is your desire that your flock eat pudding... in celebration of thy birth as a man, then show thy humble supplicant a sign.

    Oscar and Lucinda (1997)

  • As a humble supplicant, he raised his hands in prayer, seeking guidance during the service.

Synonyms

petitioner
vssupplicant
  • Formal
21 6.1

A person who formally asks a court or official for something

is more about humble or prayerful asking than legal petitions
requester
vssupplicant
  • UK
3 3.5

A person who asks someone for something, often politely

tends to imply humble, earnest asking rather than neutral requests
suppliant
vssupplicant
  • Formal
1 9.6

A person who asks for help in a humble, earnest way

focuses on humble, earnest requests especially in prayer or formal plea
requestor
vssupplicant
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A person who asks another person or group for something

usually implies humble, earnest asking in religious or formal contexts
supplicator
vssupplicant
  • Formal
9.6

A person who asks humbly for help in prayer

is used for humble asking in both religious and formal contexts

How Earnest

beggar
77 1.0
supplicant
  • Formal
5 8.7
petitioner
  • Formal
21 6.1
asker
4 3.3

Surface Forms

supplicant singular
supplicants plural

Morphology

supplicant = supplicate (transparent) = supplicate + ant

Clear agentive formation from the verb 'supplicate' using the suffix '-ant', meaning 'one who supplicates'.

Etymology

Supplicant comes from Latin parts sub- 'under' and plicare 'to bend', painting the picture of someone 'bending down' or kneeling to ask. That's why a supplicant is a person who humbly asks or prays for something.