anchoress

[ ang-ker-is ]

noun

1. a woman who is an anchorite.

Gender Note

What's the difference between anchoress and anchor? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchoress¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English anchoryse, Middle English ankres, equivalent to ancre anchorite + -es -ess

Example Sentences

A local anchoress named Ani Nawang Pema had a different plan.

From The Daily Beast

“A peering anchoress, who is always thrusting her head outward, is like an untamed bird in a cage,” says the good bishop.

From Project Gutenberg

She may be a nun; but if ever she prove an anchoress, I'll dig her grave with my nails.

From Project Gutenberg

Stop before the house of this anchoress, secluded from the world, and absorbed in pious meditations, a holy and quiet place.

From Project Gutenberg

An old woman sits under the window; the anchoress appears and a conversation begins.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll not go back to my anchoress lodge in the north till I see what works out of them!

From Project Gutenberg