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eremitical

eremitical

9.9
Living alone in a quiet place away from other people
  • adjective
  • /ˌɛrəˈmɪtɪkəl/
translation icon : eremítico
  • Many believe that an eremitical existence can lead to greater spiritual insight away from the distractions of modern life.
  • eremitical life

Examples

  • She found the eremitical way of living to be deeply rewarding, allowing her to connect with nature and herself.

  • The monk chose an eremitical lifestyle, preferring the peace of solitude over the company of others.

  • Urged by the prior of Camaldoli to remain and take holy orders, John refused on account of his desire for a coenobitical rather than an eremitical life.

    Academic text (2005)
  • He believed that the monastic and eremitical life was superior to other Christian vocations and that the clergy officially held places of leadership.

    Academic text (2004)
  • After several years in the vanguard of the reforming party of the Roman Curia, Peter Damian asked to be relieved of his duties so that he could return to the eremitical life of his monastic order.

    Academic text (2004)

Synonyms

reclusive
vseremitical
24 7.4

Tends to live alone and avoid other people

is about full seclusion as a lifestyle rather than mere preference
eremitic
vseremitical
9.9

Living alone and avoiding contact with other people, often for religious reasons

is about living in seclusion as a state rather than emphasizing lifestyle
hermitic
vseremitical
9.9

Living alone and simply, often for religious or spiritual reasons

is about seclusion generally without implying ascetic or religious practice
hermitical
vseremitical
9.9

Living alone and quietly for religious or spiritual reasons, like a monk

is about solitary seclusion without stressing religious or ascetic motive
anchoritic
vseremitical
  • Archaic
9.9

Living alone for religious reasons to pray

is about solitude without necessarily having explicit religious purpose
hermitlike
vseremitical
7.5

Prefers to live alone and avoids other people

is about living in seclusion without focusing on spiritual motivation
seclusive
vseremitical
7.7

A person who prefers to be alone or a place that gives privacy

is about living in seclusion as a personal condition rather than providing privacy

How Solitary

anchoritic
  • Archaic
9.9
eremitical
9.9
reclusive
24 7.4
solitary
191 4.6

Surface Forms

eremitical positive

Morphology

eremitical = eremitic (semi-transparent) = eremite + ic + al

The word is built regularly from the adjective 'eremitic' plus '-al', but the stem itself is rare and learned, so the meaning is only partly obvious to many learners.

Etymology

The word eremitical comes from the Greek erēmitēs, 'desert-dweller', and erēmos, 'desert'. Picture someone living alone in the desert, and you see why eremitical means living alone, like a hermit.