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

In recent years, many Buddhist nuns have taken on leadership roles that require either ordination status or academic degrees, all of which was quite unheard of in Buddhist monastic traditions in the past.

From No Straight News

The concept advocates an almost monastic outlook, including not getting married, not having children, not having a job, not owning property, and consuming as little as possible.

From Quartz

These saints had been assigned female at birth but lived out their lives as men in male monastic communities.

From Washington Post

I’m so shocked that we continue to interview talent in that one to one monastic way.

From Search Engine Land

By the way, if you went into monastic silence, then you’d probably be the exact same way, just by glaring.

From Washington Post

Christianity spawned the monastic movement, originally in Egypt, that insisted upon peace, self-reliance, education and charity.

From The Daily Beast

A similar monastic silence reigned, and the atmosphere was also of high seriousness and hygiene.

From The Daily Beast

But his period of monastic seclusion officially comes to an end on Thursday.

From The Daily Beast

A Youtube video of some jet-setting Buddhist monks has Thailand scrambling to crack down on materialism in the monastic ranks.

From The Daily Beast

This should be manifestly clear this morning even to the most monastic heirs of David Broder.

From The Daily Beast

In short, Marcella had been too long under her tuition, to become a willing devotee to the monastic rites of the Romish Church.

From Project Gutenberg

Ample tolerance of all religions and sects, but abolition and expulsion of all monastic Orders.

From Project Gutenberg

A bill brought into the English parliament vesting in the crown all the property of the monastic institutions.

From Project Gutenberg

Imagine, nowadays, I am often drawn towards the monastic life, or something similar.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl leaned over and remade my monastic white cot, giving the pillow a final pat to smooth it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ascetic
• austere
• contemplative
• secluded
• solitary