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Glite Dictionary
White Friar

White Friar

9.8
A member of a Catholic religious group who wears a white robe and preaches to people
  • noun
translation icon : Carmelita
  • Legend says a White Friar still haunts the abbey ruins after sunset.

Examples

  • The White Friars were renowned for their preaching and charitable works across Europe.

  • The old monastery was once home to a community of White Friars in the Middle Ages.

  • The White Friar preached at the local church last Sunday.

  • Many White Friars were known for their charitable works.

  • The White Friar delivered a powerful sermon to the congregation on Sunday.

  • In the ancient town, a White Friar was often seen wandering the streets, offering guidance and support to those in need.

  • Many people admired the White Friar for his devotion to helping the poor and spreading his religious teachings.

Synonyms

Carmelite
vsWhite Friar
8.8

A religious person in a Roman Catholic order from Mount Carmel who lives mainly by prayer

travels to preach publicly and lives by asking for support

Surface Forms

White Friar singular
White Friars plural

Morphology

white + friar

The phrase literally combines 'white' (a colour) with 'friar' (a male religious brother), so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer it refers to a friar characterized by white garments or belonging to an order with white habits. Although the specific Carmelite identity and historical details may be unknown, the basic meaning is directly compositional and predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

White Friar comes from religious brothers who wore a long white cloak, so people called those friars 'White Friars'. That's why today White Friar means a member of the Carmelite order who preached and helped the poor.