Carmelite

[ kahr-muh-lahyt ]

noun

1. a mendicant friar belonging to a religious order founded at Mt. Carmel, Palestine, in the 12th century; White Friar.
2. a nun belonging to this order.

adjective

1. of or relating to Carmelites or their order.

Carmelite

/ ˈkɑːməˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a member of an order of mendicant friars founded about 1154; a White Friar
2. a member of a corresponding order of nuns founded in 1452, noted for its austere rule
3. modifier of or relating to the Carmelite friars or nuns

Word History and Origins

Origin of Carmelite¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin Carmelita, named after Carmel, first seat of the order; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Carmelite¹

C14: from French; named after Mount Carmel , where the order was founded

Example Sentences

He on his part had thought Rosalia dead, and it was only by accident that he found that she still lived, a Carmelite nun.

From Project Gutenberg

We passed a very old Carmelite Church with rich carving about the entrance, and a fine old carved oak door.

From Project Gutenberg

Men obviously found it useful, and it is the basis of the modern Carmelite bibliography.

From Project Gutenberg

Vasari, of course, is the fountain-head of this misconception of the Carmelite's art.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the chant of the Carmelite nuns, their only human utterance.

From Project Gutenberg