SUPPLIANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does suppliant mean? 

• SUPPLIANT (noun)
  The noun SUPPLIANT has 1 sense:

1. one praying humbly for something

  Familiarity information: SUPPLIANT used as a noun is very rare.

• SUPPLIANT (adjective)
  The adjective SUPPLIANT has 1 sense:

1. humbly entreating

  Familiarity information: SUPPLIANT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUPPLIANT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

One praying humbly for something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

petitioner; requester; suppliant; supplicant

Context example:

a suppliant for her favors

Hypernyms ("suppliant" is a kind of...):

applicant; applier (a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "suppliant"):

besieger (an energetic petitioner)

postulant (one submitting a request or application especially one seeking admission into a religious order)

canvasser; solicitor (a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes)

Derivation:

supplicate (ask humbly (for something))

• SUPPLIANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Humbly entreating

Synonyms:

suppliant; supplicant; supplicatory

Context example:

a suppliant sinner seeking forgiveness

Similar:

beseeching; imploring; pleading (begging)

 Context examples 

And now, and for the first time, he was a suppliant, tender and timid and doubting.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

My generous friend reassured the suppliant, and on being informed of the name of her lover, instantly abandoned his pursuit.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

If Mr. T. should ever reply to it (which I cannot but feel to be most improbable), a letter addressed to M. E., Post Office, Canterbury, will be fraught with less painful consequences than any addressed immediately to one, who subscribes herself, in extreme distress, Mr. Thomas Traddles's respectful friend and suppliant

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)