Mendicant
noun
A person, especially a religious one, who relies on asking people for money or food.
The mendicant roamed the streets begging for food and money.

Often appears as...
- mendicant monk
- mendicant friar
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Relating to or characteristic of a mendicant or mendicant orders.
After his mother's death, he lived a mendicant lifestyle, wandering from place to place.

Often appears as...
- mendicant order
- mendicant lifestyle
Usage tips
Neutral
noun
A person, especially a religious one, who relies on asking people for money or food.
The mendicant roamed the streets begging for food and money.

Often appears as...
- mendicant monk
- mendicant friar
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Relating to or characteristic of a mendicant or mendicant orders.
After his mother's death, he lived a mendicant lifestyle, wandering from place to place.

Often appears as...
- mendicant order
- mendicant lifestyle
Usage tips
Neutral
Definition 1 of 2

Historical Context
Originally referred to religious people begging as part of their spiritual practice.

Medieval mendicants renounced possessions, living off charity.
Modern Usage
Nowadays, it can refer to any person who begs for money or food.

He encountered a mendicant on his way to work, asking for spare change.
Emotional Connotation
Mendicant can have a sympathetic or disparaging connotation, depending on context.

The kind lady offered the mendicant a meal and a warm coat.
Historical Context
Originally referred to religious people begging as part of their spiritual practice.

Medieval mendicants renounced possessions, living off charity.
Modern Usage
Nowadays, it can refer to any person who begs for money or food.

He encountered a mendicant on his way to work, asking for spare change.
Emotional Connotation
Mendicant can have a sympathetic or disparaging connotation, depending on context.

The kind lady offered the mendicant a meal and a warm coat.
Historical Context
Originally referred to religious people begging as part of their spiritual practice.

Medieval mendicants renounced possessions, living off charity.
Modern Usage
Nowadays, it can refer to any person who begs for money or food.

He encountered a mendicant on his way to work, asking for spare change.
Emotional Connotation
Mendicant can have a sympathetic or disparaging connotation, depending on context.

The kind lady offered the mendicant a meal and a warm coat.
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