Words / C2

MEND-ik-uh-nt/ˈmendɪkənt/

A mendicant is a beggar; also a member of a religious order that lives by begging (formal): a mendicant friar, mendicant appeals. To beg (already in the dictionary) is everyday desperate asking; poor (already in the dictionary) is having little money, and impecunious (already in the dictionary) is formal pennilessness. To beseech (already in the dictionary) is to ask earnestly, literary; to importune (already in the dictionary) is to press persistently. Corridor emails are not a record.

Meaning

A beggar; also a member of a religious order that lives by begging (formal).

Examples

• “Mendicant emails in the corridor are not a record; put the ask in the minutes.”
• “To beg is to ask desperately (already in B1). Poor is everyday without money (already in A2). Impecunious is having little money (already in C2). To beseech is to ask earnestly (already in C2). To importune is to press persistently (already in C2). A dated ask can still be sharp. Heat in the stairwell is theatre. Put the request on paper; then the pathos.”

Good to know

A beggar; living by asking (formal). Everyday: beg / poor (already in this dictionary). Close: impecunious (already in C2); beseech / importune (already in C2). A corridor ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

beggar, supplicant, pauper, almsman

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