postulant

[ pos-chuh-luh nt ]

/ ˈpɒs tʃə lənt /

a candidate, especially for admission into a religious order.

a person who asks or applies for something.

Origin of postulant

1750–60; < French < Latin postulant- (stem of postulāns), present participle of postulāre to ask for, claim, require

One is a postulant for two years at least, often for four; a novice for four.

Les Misrables |Victor Hugo
The postulant, after receiving these three ordinations, becomes a full monk or Ho-shang and takes a new name.

Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 (of 3) |Charles Eliot
But professions were often written by others, and the postulant only put his or her cross.

Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 |Eileen Edna Power
There are degrees in the struggle for saintliness; the journalist was but a postulant.

When It Was Dark |Guy Thorne

"But Juanita is not a postulant," said Sarrion, with a laugh.

The Velvet Glove |Henry Seton Merriman

postulant

/ (ˈpɒstjʊlənt) /

a person who makes a request or application, esp a candidate for admission to a religious order

postulancy or postulantship, noun

C18: from Latin postulāns asking, from postulāre to ask, demand