- mendicant
- mid-15c., from L. mendicantem (nom. mendicans) "beggar," prp. of mendicare "to beg," from mendicus "beggar," originally "cripple" (connection via cripples who beg), from menda "fault, physical defect" (see mendacious). Earlier form in M.E. was mendinant (mid-14c.), from O.Fr. mendinant, prp. of mendiner "to beg," from the same L. source.