1. people who live by begging; beggars
2. members of religious orders who take vows of poverty and live by begging or charitable donations
Usage: religious

Examples

• The city council discussed policies regarding mendicants on public streets.
• Medieval mendicants traveled from town to town seeking alms.
• The Franciscans and Dominicans were among the most famous mendicant orders.
• Local charities provided shelter for mendicants during the harsh winter.
• The mendicants gathered outside the cathedral after morning mass.
• Historical records show that mendicant friars played important roles in education.