anchorite
/'æɳkəret/ Cách viết khác : (anchoret) /'æɳkərait/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary life, especially for religious reasons; a hermit. This term specifically refers to someone who chooses extreme seclusion, typically in a remote location like a desert or wilderness, as an act of religious devotion, prayer, and asceticism. Historically, anchorites were often Christian monks in the early church.
Usage
The word "anchorite" is a formal and historical term. It is used to describe a specific type of religious recluse, distinct from a monk living in a community. It often carries connotations of rigorous self-denial and spiritual pursuit through isolation.
Examples
- The desert father was a famous anchorite who lived in a cave for decades.
- In the Middle Ages, some anchorites would be enclosed in small cells attached to churches.
- She studied the writings of early Christian anchorites.
Advanced Usage
- "To live as an anchorite": To adopt the life of a religious hermit.
- He decided to renounce all worldly possessions and live as an anchorite.
Variants and Related Words
- Anchoret (noun): An archaic variant spelling of "anchorite."
- Anchoritic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of an anchorite.
- The anchoritic life demands great discipline.
- Anchorage (noun): Historically, the dwelling place of an anchorite.
Synonyms
- Hermit: A person living in solitude as a religious discipline. (This is the closest synonym.)
- Recluse: A person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid others. (More general, not necessarily religious.)
- Eremite: A synonym for hermit, especially a Christian hermit.
Antonyms
- Socialite: A person who is fond of social activities and fashionable society.
- Extrovert: An outgoing, socially confident person.
Noun
- one retired from society for religious reasons