Mendicancy
MENDICANCY (from Lat. mendicus, in a condition of beggary, a word of unknown origin), a state or condition of being a beggar, the practice of obtaining a livelihood by asking alms. The word " mendicant," also found in the French form " mendiarit," appears to have come into use through the begging friars.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
