anchorite

noun

an·​cho·​rite ˈaŋ-kə-ˌrīt 

variants or less commonly anchoret

ˈaŋ-kə-ˌret 

: a person who lives in seclusion usually for religious reasons

anchoritic

ˌaŋ-kə-ˈri-tik 

adjective

anchoritically

ˌaŋ-kə-ˈri-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The term "anchor" was being used for religious hermits about 450 years before "anchorite" came into common use in our language. The reclusive "anchor" and "anchorite" are both derived from the Late Latin anachoreta, which, in turn, can be traced to the Greek anachōrein, meaning "to withdraw." Are they etymologically related to the kind of anchors you find on ships? Not exactly. The Latin root of sea-going "anchor," "anchora," probably influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the words that led to "anchorite" and the reclusive "anchor," but it is not a direct ancestor.

Synonyms

• eremite
• hermit
• isolate
• recluse
• solitary

Examples of anchorite in a Sentence

many Christian saints were anchorites who removed themselves from the world to focus on their spirituality

Recent Examples on the Web

The original Anthology Film Archives, on Lafayette Street in Manhattan, was designed with high black partitions between each seat, so that viewers could wall themselves in to the screen like anchorites. —Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 9 Sep. 2023

Why were anchorites such as Simeon Stylites — who lived atop a pillar — regularly consulted on all sorts of practical problems? —Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 9 June 2023

Perhaps our lives now more closely resemble ancient anchorites, religious recluses who lived alone in rooms adjoining churches, said Cathleen Kaveny, a Catholic theologian at Boston College. —Daniel Burke, CNN, 5 Apr. 2020

In other instances, anchorites became wise people to visit and from whom to seek council. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2019

But there are certainly similarities between the anchorite and the handmaid. —Annie Sutherland, Quartzy, 13 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin anchorita, alteration of Late Latin anachoreta, from Late Greek anachōrētēs, from Greek anachōrein to withdraw, from ana- + chōrein to make room, from chōros place

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

anchorite

noun

an·​cho·​rite ˈaŋ-kə-ˌrīt 

: hermit sense 1