† ˈsuffragant, n. and a. Obs.
[a. F. suffragant, ad. L. suffrāgans, -ant-, pr. pple. of suffrāgārī (see next).]
A. n.
1. = suffragan n. 2.
| 1611 Cotgr., Suffragant, a Suffragant, or Suffragan, a Bishops deputie. |
2. One who gives his suffrage or vote; a voter; hence, a supporter, witness.
| 1627 Jackson Holy Cath. Faith i. xxi. 181 Wee haue euery member of the Romish Church a suffragant or witnesse for vs. 1656 Artif. Handsom. 118 Hoping to find them more friends and suffragants to the virtues..of sober women than enemies to their beauty. 1678 R. L'Estrange Seneca's Mor. ii. xx. 261 When they are no longer Candidates, they are Suffragants. 1697 Potter Antiq. Greece i. ix. (1715) 44 The Prytanes, who were also oblig'd to provide a sufficient number of Stones for the Suffragants. |
B. adj.
1. Auxiliary, subordinate.
| 1603 Florio Montaigne i. lvi. (1632) 175 She [sc. Divinity] ought to be chiefe ruler..and not suffragant and subsidiary. |
2. Giving support or witness.
| a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 302 If..I should let my pen loose to the suffragant testimonies..I should trye your patience. |