SUPPLICANT Meaning and
Definition
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A supplicant is an individual who adopts a humble demeanor and appeals earnestly to someone in a position of power or authority, usually in the hopes of receiving assistance, mercy, or favor. The term "supplicant" is derived from the verb "to supplicate," which can be defined as making a humble and earnest plea or request.
Supplicants are often depicted as individuals who approach someone of higher status or authority with an air of humility, acknowledging their own inferiority or dependency. This usually involves gestures of respect, such as bowing or kneeling, and using polite language. The supplicant recognizes the power or influence of the person they are seeking aid from and endeavors to elicit their compassion, benevolence, or favorable disposition.
Supplicants can be commonly found in various contexts, ranging from religious ceremonies, where individuals may supplicate to deities, to more secular situations, such as when someone pleads for clemency or leniency from a judge or a person of authority.
The act of supplication is often accompanied by expressions of desperation, vulnerability, or gratitude, as the supplicant is generally in a position of need or dependency. The success of a supplicant's appeal ultimately hinges on the willingness of the person they are addressing to grant their request, either out of empathy, a sense of duty, or the perception that the supplicant is deserving.
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• Entreating; asking submissively.
• One who entreats submissively; a petitioner who asks earnestly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of SUPPLICANT
The word "supplicant" traces its roots back to Latin and derives from the verb "supplicare". In Latin, "supplicare" referred to the act of kneeling or bending down in a humble manner, typically before a deity, with the intention of making a request or showing reverence. The word was formed by combining the prefix "sub-" (meaning "under") with the verb "plicare" (meaning "to fold"). Therefore, "supplicare" literally meant "to fold oneself beneath". Over time, the term evolved and entered various European languages, including English, while retaining its fundamental meaning of one who humbly pleads or entreats.
Similar spelling words for SUPPLICANT
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