What is typically meant by the term "suppliant"?

The term "suppliant" is most commonly used to describe a person making a humble request or appeal, often in a context where they are seeking assistance or favor from someone in a position of power or authority. This connotation highlights a sense of vulnerability and earnestness in the person's demeanor and intent, which is characteristic of someone who is asking for something important to them, such as help, guidance, or mercy.

In literature and various formal contexts, suppliants are often portrayed as individuals who come before a leader or deity, beseeching them for aid, which further emphasizes the humility and desperation that define the term. This sense of sincere appeal is central to understanding what it means to be a suppliant, as opposed to traits associated with generosity, domination, or strict authority.