monastery

A residence for monks or others who have taken religious vows.

Noun

  1. A residence for monks or others who have taken religious vows.

Origin

From Middle English monasterie, from Old French monastere, from Medieval Latin monastērium (“monastery”), from Ancient Greek μοναστήριον (monastḗrion, “hermitage, monastery”), from μοναστήριος (monastḗrios, “alone, made alone”) + -ιον (-ion, “-ium”, suffix forming place names), from μονάζω (monázō, “to be alone”), from μόνος (mónos, “alone”) + -άζω (-ázō, verb-forming suffix). Doublet of minster.

Forms

monasteries monasterie

Hyponyms

ribat

Related

monasterial monastic monasticism abbey cloister convent friary minster

Derived

double monastery dual monastery monastery cheese monasterylike scary devil monastery