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

The postulants are guided in reconceptualizing their entire lives as a series of events indicating a divinely directed transformation, a progressive unfolding of self that operates in both temporal registers.

From Scientific American

If that all goes well, three months later, she enters the postulant stage, at which she can start wearing the makeup but is not yet given a veil.

From Los Angeles Times

Alex takes his hand, and Henry turns to face the chapel like a nervous postulant, his cheeks hollowed out in the low light, before pulling Alex into it.

From Literature

Even today, postulants who enter the order, which has chapters around the world, mostly spend their days alone, in spartan cells in prayer and contemplation, mixed with some manual labor.

From Washington Post

She had already been there four years, arriving at age 20 and spending the first six months as a postulant before becoming a novice nun.

From Washington Post

Related Words

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