postulant
[pos-chuh-luh nt]
- a candidate, especially for admission into a religious order.
- a person who asks or applies for something.
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Origin of postulant
1750–60; < French < Latin postulant- (stem of postulāns), present participle of postulāre to ask for, claim, require
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
contestantapplicantcandidatebeginnerlearnerneophytenewcomerpupiltraineesisterclaimantseekeraspirantcompetitorhopefulwannabepostulantstrivergremlinconvertExamples from the Web for postulant
Historical Examples
She trembled like a postulant when she wrote the Greek alphabet for the first time.
The RainbowD. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
There are degrees in the struggle for saintliness; the journalist was but a postulant.
When It Was DarkGuy Thorne
"But Juanita is not a postulant," said Sarrion, with a laugh.
The Velvet GloveHenry Seton Merriman
Mark concerned himself less with his own reception as a postulant.
The Altar StepsCompton MacKenzie
One is a postulant for two years at least, often for four; a novice for four.
Les MisrablesVictor Hugo
postulant
- a person who makes a request or application, esp a candidate for admission to a religious order
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Word Origin
C18: from Latin postulāns asking, from postulāre to ask, demand
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for postulant
n.
1759, from French postulant "applicant, candidate," literally "one who asks," from Latin postulantem (nominative postulans), present participle of postulare "to ask, demand" (see postulate (v.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper