suppliant

[ suhp-lee-uhnt ]

noun

1. a person who supplicates; petitioner.

adjective

1. supplicating.
2. expressive of supplication, as words, actions, etc.

suppliant

/ ˈsʌplɪənt /

adjective

1. expressing entreaty or supplication

noun

1. another word for supplicant

Derived Forms

• ˈsuppliantly, adverb
• ˈsuppliance, noun

Other Words From

• suppli·ant·ly adverb
• suppli·ant·ness noun
• un·suppli·ant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suppliant¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French, present participle of supplier < Latin supplicāre to beseech, supplicate. See -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of suppliant¹

C15: from French supplier to beseech, from Latin supplicāre to kneel in entreaty; see supple

Example Sentences

Instead she assumed a suppliant air, her beautiful eyes meltingly set upon his face.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Capt was in the habit of writing to the lady in the humble tone of a suppliant.

From Project Gutenberg

She gave him a suppliant glance, which he understood, for he did not insist, and she remained silent in her chair.

From Project Gutenberg

Since he played the part of suppliant, he argued with his opponent without heat, though passion might not be denied.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus he sat, dejection and despair stamped on his homely face; haughty, yet a suppliant; a king, yet only by sufferance.

From Project Gutenberg