postulant

[ pos-chuh-luhnt ]

noun

1. a candidate, especially for admission into a religious order.
2. a person who asks or applies for something.

postulant

/ ˈpɒstjʊlənt /

noun

1. a person who makes a request or application, esp a candidate for admission to a religious order

Derived Forms

• ˈpostulancy, noun

Other Words From

• postu·lant·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of postulant¹

1750–60; < French < Latin postulant- (stem of postulāns ), present participle of postulāre to ask for, claim, require

Word History and Origins

Origin of postulant¹

C18: from Latin postulāns asking, from postulāre to ask, demand

Example Sentences

He spoke to the postulant alone, praising the august and humble life of the cloister.

From Project Gutenberg

Jephthah regarded his postulant daughter-in-law from under lowered, bushy brows.

From Project Gutenberg

There are degrees in the struggle for saintliness; the journalist was but a postulant.

From Project Gutenberg

The ministrant addressed the postulant, “Brother, dost thou wish to give thyself to our faith?”

From Project Gutenberg

Lupo agnum eripere postulant—They insist on snatching the lamb from the wolf.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beginner
• learner
• neophyte
• newcomer
• pupil
• trainee