friary
/'fraiəli/
Definition
- Noun:
- A monastery or convent belonging to a religious order of friars: A "friary" is a building or complex where friars live, work, and worship as a community. It is specifically associated with mendicant orders, such as the Franciscans or Dominicans.
Usage
- The term "friary" is used to describe the residential and communal dwelling place for members of a friar's order. It is similar to a monastery but is specifically for friars, who are distinct from monks in their focus on preaching and serving in the wider community, often living by begging (mendicancy).
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Legal Context: In historical documents, a "friary" often refers to the lands and buildings granted to or established by an order of friars.
- The dissolution of the friaries under Henry VIII changed the religious landscape of England.
Variants and Related Words
- Friar (n): A member of a religious order of men, especially the mendicant orders.
- Monastery (n): A building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows. (Note: A "monastery" is for monks; a "friary" is specifically for friars.)
- Convent (n): A Christian community of nuns living under monastic vows. (Sometimes used broadly, but "friary" is male-specific.)
- Priory (n): A monastery or nunnery governed by a prior or prioress, often smaller than an abbey. (A friary can be a type of priory.)
Synonyms
- Monastery (though this is a broader term)
- Religious house
- Cloister (refers to the secluded life or the architectural part of such a building)
Antonyms
- Secular building
- Lay residence
Related Phrases/Idioms
Noun
-
a monastery of friars
