monkery

Definition

1. Noun (countable or uncountable, often derogatory):

   • A collective body of monks: "monkery" refers to a group of monks living together, especially in a monastery.
   • Monastic life or practices: The term can denote the way of life, customs, or habits associated with monks or monasteries.
   • A monastery or convent: In some usage, "monkery" is synonymous with a religious community building for monks.

Usage Examples

• (A group of monks living in a monastery.)
• (The monastic way of life or customs.)
• (A monastery building.)

Advanced Usage

• "to live in monkery": to reside in a monastery or to adopt monastic habits.

  • After his retirement, he chose to live in monkery, devoting himself to prayer. (To live as a monk in a monastery.)

• "the monkery of the Middle Ages": referring to the monastic institutions and practices of that historical period.

  • Historians study the monkery of the Middle Ages to understand religious life. (Monastic communities and their customs.)

Variants and Related Words

• Monk (n): a male member of a religious order living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

  • The monk spent his days in silent meditation. (A single religious man.)

• Monastic (adj): relating to monks, nuns, or monasteries.

  • The monastic life is one of simplicity and discipline. (Pertaining to a monastery.)

• Monastery (n): a building or community where monks live.

  • They visited a famous monastery in the Alps. (A place for monks.)

Synonyms

• Monasticism: the system or practice of living as a monk.
• Cloister: a monastery or convent, or the secluded life within it.
• Friary: a monastery for friars (similar but not identical).

Related Idioms