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Glite Dictionary
anchoress

anchoress

1 9.9
A woman who lives alone in a small room to pray for religious reasons
  • noun
  • /ˈæŋkərɪs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : anacoreta
  • It is in that context that you should read the Anchoress's post asking if America has gone beyond the possibility of civility in public discourse.

Examples

  • The anchoress lived in her small cell, dedicating her life to prayer and reflection.

  • The Anchoress has some helpful links on that matter here.

    Blog text (29)

  • Theoctista was an anchoress in the desert, feeding herself on fruits and vegetables for thirty years.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Many people sought the wisdom of the anchoress, who offered guidance through her window.

  • As an anchoress, she spent decades in seclusion, focused solely on her spiritual devotion.

Synonyms

anchorite
vsanchoress
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who lives apart from others to pray and study

is specifically a woman who lives alone for devotion and prayer
eremite
vsanchoress
9.9

A person who lives alone for religious reasons, often in the Christian faith

is the female form of this role, living in a small cell for prayer

Surface Forms

anchoress singular
anchoresses plural

Etymology

The word anchoress comes from an old Greek word anachorein, which means 'to withdraw' or 'go away'. So an anchoress is a woman who 'withdraws' from the world to live alone for prayer, much like a female 'hermit'.