suppliancy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “suppliancy” mean?
The state or quality of being suppliant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or quality of being suppliant; humble, earnest pleading or entreaty.
The act or attitude of making a humble, often desperate, appeal to someone in authority or power, often implying vulnerability, dependence, or subservience. It can also refer to the posture or behaviour characteristic of such an appeal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally archaic and formal in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both British and American English, appearing almost exclusively in historical or highly formal literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “suppliancy” in a Sentence
[Verb] with suppliancy[Noun] of suppliancyin an attitude of suppliancyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suppliancy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He supplicated with great suppliancy.
- They approached, their manner supplicating with undeniable suppliancy.
American English
- She supplicated with profound suppliancy.
- Their voices were raised in supplication, filled with suppliancy.
adverb
British English
- He asked suppliantly, his whole demeanour one of suppliancy.
- They waited suppliantly, their suppliancy palpable in the air.
American English
- She spoke suppliantly, her words dripping with suppliancy.
- He looked up suppliantly, a model of abject suppliancy.
adjective
British English
- Her suppliant gaze was the very picture of suppliancy.
- He wrote a letter in a suppliant tone, an exercise in pure suppliancy.
American English
- The suppliant crowd's mood was one of desperate suppliancy.
- With a suppliant gesture, he demonstrated his complete suppliancy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
May appear in historical, literary, or religious studies discussing themes of petition and humility.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in any specific technical field.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suppliancy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “suppliancy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suppliancy”
- Misspelling as 'suppliance' or 'supplience'.
- Using it in modern, casual contexts where it sounds unnatural.
- Confusing it with the verb 'supply'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic noun, primarily found in historical or literary texts.
'Pleading' or 'entreaty' are the most direct and commonly used synonyms in contemporary English.
No, it would be highly inappropriate and archaic. Use terms like 'request', 'appeal', or 'petition' instead.
It is a noun. The related adjective is 'suppliant' and the verb is 'supplicate'.
The state or quality of being suppliant.
Suppliancy is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Suppliancy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌpliənsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌpliənsi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; related to 'go cap in hand' or 'on bended knee'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SUPPLIER who is on their knees, begging (PLI-ancy) for a contract. SUPPLI-ANCY is the state of that begging.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPLIANCY IS A PHYSICAL POSTURE OF LOWERING (e.g., bowing, kneeling).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'suppliancy' be MOST appropriate?