eremite

[ er-uh-mahyt ]

noun

1. a hermit or recluse, especially one under a religious vow.

eremite

/ ˈɛrɪˌmaɪt; ˈɛrɪmaɪˌtɪzəm; ˌɛrɪˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. a Christian hermit or recluse Compare coenobite

Derived Forms

• eremitic, adjective
• eremitism, noun

Other Words From

• er·e·mit·ic [er-, uh, -, mit, -ik], ere·miti·cal er·e·mit·ish [er, -, uh, -mahy-tish], adjective
• ere·mitism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eremite¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Late Latin erēmīta hermit

Word History and Origins

Origin of eremite¹

C13: see hermit

Example Sentences

The film opens with a quote defining the word hermit, or eremite, as "a person who lives in seclusion from society."

From Salon

The word hermit derives from the Greek term eremite, meaning 'of the desert'.

From BBC

Friar Jordan, an Augustinian eremite, held a commission as inquisitor in both sections of Saxony.

From Project Gutenberg

Man is no cave-bound eremite, But still an eager spy on Chance.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the eremites of old he had been scourged into the desert by remorse and another passion, but time had done its work.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abbot
• friar
• priest