monastic

- 3 dictionary results

mo⋅nas⋅tic

[muh-nas-tik]

–adjective Also, mo⋅nas⋅ti⋅cal.

1.	of or pertaining to monasteries: a monastic library.

2.	of, pertaining to, or characteristic of monks or nuns, their manner of life, or their religious obligations: monastic vows.

3.	of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a secluded, dedicated, or austere manner of living.

–noun

4.	a member of a monastic community or order, esp. a monk.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME monastik < LL monasticus < LGk monastikós, equiv. to monas- (verbid s. of monázein to be alone; see mon- ) + -ikos -ic, with -t- by analogy with derivatives of agent nouns in -tēs (cf. athlete, athletic )

Related forms:

mo⋅nas⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To monastic

mo·nas·tic (mə-nās'tĭk)

adj.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a monastery. Used often of monks and nuns.
Resembling life in a monastery in style, structure, or manner, especially:
1. Secluded and contemplative.
2. Strictly disciplined or regimented.
3. Self-abnegating; austere.

n. A monk.

[Middle English monastik, from Old French monastique, from Late Latin monasticus, from Late Greek monastikos, from Greek monazein, to live alone; see monastery.]
mo·nas'ti·cal·ly adv.

Word Origin & History

monastic

c.1449, from M.Fr. monastique, from L.L. monasticus, from Late Gk. monastikos "solitary, pertaining to a monk," from Gk. monazein "to live alone."

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