sup·pli·cant I. \ˈsəplə̇kənt, -lēk-\adjective Etymology: Latin supplicant-, supplicans, present participle of supplicare to supplicate : asking submissively : supplicating, entreating • sup·pli·cant·lyadverb II. noun (-s) : suppliant < tapped on the door like a supplicant, and waited … with his hat in his hand — Berton Roueché >