[ad. L. excommūnicant-em, pr. pple. of excommūnicāre: see EXCOMMUNICATE. (With sense 2 cf. EXAMINANT 2.)]
1. One who excommunicates; an excommunicator.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. xlii. 308. Might bee a greater pain to the Excommunicant, than to the Excommunicate.
¶ 2. = EXCOMMUNICATE B.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 313. Likewise with these, we arraunge all excommunicants, heretiques, vsurers, pandars, histrions, or stage players.
1641. Heylin, Hist. Episcopacy (1657), II. 365. When as the wickednesse of Felicissimus was growne unto the height, the Father of his owne authority denounced him excommunicant.
1887. J. Martineau, National Church, in Contemp. Rev., LI. 416. Innumerable swarms of excommunicantsDonatists, Arians, Monophysites, Albigenses, Hussites. [In mod. Dicts.]