monastic

[ muh-nas-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to monasteries:

   a monastic library.

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of monks or nuns, their manner of life, or their religious obligations:

   monastic vows.

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

noun

1. a member of a monastic community or order, especially a monk.

monastic

/ məˈnæstɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to monasteries or monks, nuns, etc
2. resembling this sort of life; reclusive

noun

1. a person who is committed to this way of life, esp a monk

Derived Forms

• moˈnastically, adverb

Other Words From

• mo·nasti·cal·ly adverb
• nonmo·nastic adjective
• nonmo·nasti·cal·ly adverb
• pseudo·mo·nastic adjective
• pseudo·mo·nasti·cal adjective
• pseudo·mo·nasti·cal·ly adverb
• semi·mo·nastic adjective
• unmo·nastic adjective
• unmo·nasti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of monastic¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English monastik, from Middle French monastique or directly from Late Latin monasticus, from Late Greek monastikós, equivalent to monas- (derivative of monázein “to be alone, live alone”) + -ikos adjective suffix, with -t- by analogy with derivatives of agent nouns in -tēs; mon-, -ic: athlete )

Example Sentences

The work incorporates as primary components both a mural-size video projection on the wall and a miniature color TV monitor sequestered inside a tiny, monastic, cell-like shack.

From Los Angeles Times

Her story is not so rare at Curtis, an extremely selective, tuition-free school whose roughly 150 students come from around the world to study with almost monastic focus.

From New York Times

They study with nearly monastic focus, with the numbers and skill to operate as a world-class orchestra and opera company.

From New York Times

“Korean Buddhist monks had a perception of: ’How dare he flaunt his looks and does Instagram as someone who became monastic,’” Beomjeong said.

From Seattle Times

He combined both history and law in his debut novel Dissolution, which took readers into the dark heart of Tudor England in a gripping novel of monastic treachery and death.

From BBC

Related Words

• ascetic
• austere
• contemplative
• secluded
• solitary