supplicant
/ˈsʌplɪkənt/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈʌpləkənt] /ˈsʌplɪkənt/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈʌpləkənt] /ˈsə-pli-kənt How to pronounce supplicant (audio)/ (ame, mw)
supplicant — noun
- supplicantsingular
- supplicantsplural
1. someone who pleads very respectfully to a god, ruler, judge, or other powerful p
someone who pleads very respectfully to a god, ruler, judge, or other powerful person for help or a favour
Ignacio knelt before the shrine as a supplicant asking for rain.
supplicant + asking for mercy or help
At the palace gate, Walid waited like a supplicant with his petition.
The judge refused to treat Lakshmi as a supplicant begging for mercy.
Each supplicant carried flowers to the temple and whispered a private prayer.
- petitioner
formal and often legal or official; 'supplicant' sounds more humble and emotionally exposed
- beggar
can suggest poverty or desperation; 'supplicant' focuses on the act of pleading respectfully
- suppliant
very close in meaning but even more literary and less common today
- benefactor
gives help or favour rather than asking for it
- patron
person with power or money who supports others
用法筆記
Usually appears in religious, ceremonial, literary, or strongly formal contexts. In everyday situations, English more often uses words such as 'beggar', 'petitioner', or simply 'person asking for help', depending on the setting.
常見錯誤
supplicant — adjective
- supplicantpositive
- more supplicantcomparative
- most supplicantsuperlative
1. showing that someone is asking earnestly and respectfully for help, pardon, or p
showing that someone is asking earnestly and respectfully for help, pardon, or permission
Yuki wrote a supplicant letter to the board after the scholarship was cut.
supplicant + letter / voice / look / gesture
The prisoner's supplicant voice filled the courtroom as he asked for mercy.
Lea gave the manager a supplicant smile before asking to keep the job.
On stage, the actor fell to his knees with a supplicant gesture.
- pleading
the everyday choice; 'supplicant' is more literary and ceremonial
- imploring
stresses intense emotional pressure in the request
- beseeching
very formal and close in tone to 'supplicant'
- commanding
shows authority rather than dependence
- defiant
resists power instead of appealing to it
用法筆記
Most often modifies nouns such as 'voice', 'look', 'smile', 'gesture', 'letter', or 'tone'. In ordinary modern English, many speakers would choose 'pleading' instead; 'supplicant' sounds more literary and ceremonial.