monastery etymology

Etymology:

  • From Late Latin monasterium, from Ancient Greek μοναστήριον (monastērion), from μοναστής (monastēs), "solitary person, monk", from μόνος (monos), "alone, single".

Meaning:

  • A building or complex of buildings inhabited by a community of monks, nuns, or other religious people living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Origin:

  • The concept of monasticism originated in ancient Egypt, where ascetics lived in isolated desert communities.
  • In the 4th century CE, Saint Pachomius established the first Christian monastery in Egypt, setting a model for monastic life.
  • Monasticism spread throughout the Christian world over the following centuries, and monasteries played a significant role in the development of Western civilization.
  • They became centers of learning, culture, and spiritual guidance.

Additional Notes:

  • The term "monastery" can also refer to the community of religious people living in such a building.
  • The female equivalent of a monastery is a convent.
  • The word "monk" is derived from the same Greek root and refers to a male religious who lives in a monastery.
  • The word "nun" is derived from the Latin word nonna, meaning "grandmother", and refers to a female religious who lives in a monastery or convent.

monastery relate terms

  • minster

    Etymology The word minster derives from the Old English word mynster which in turn

  • monastery

    Etymology From Late Latin monasterium from Ancient Greek μοναστήριον monas

  • monastic

    Etymology and Meaning The word monastic derives from the Greek word monachos meaning

  • monastery

    Etymology From Late Latin monasterium from Ancient Greek μοναστήριον monas

  • malmsey

    Etymology From Old English malm malmesy from Old French malvoisie from Medieval Lat

  • monad

    Etymology The term monad comes from the Greek word μονάς monas meaning a sin

  • monarchy

    Etymology From Late Latin monarchia from Ancient Greek μοναρχία monarchia a

  • monastery

    Etymology From Late Latin monasterium from Ancient Greek μοναστήριον monas

  • monism

    Etymology The word monism comes from the Greek word mónos meaning single or one

  • monist

    Etymology The word monist is derived from the Greek word monos meaning one or sin

  • monk

    Etymology The word monk comes from the Greek word monos meaning alone Meaning

  • mono

    Etymology The word mono is derived from the Greek word monos meaning single or a

  • monoceros

    Etymology The word monoceros is derived from the Greek words mono meaning one and

  • monochrome

    Etymology The word monochrome is derived from the Greek words mono μόνο meani

  • monocle

    Etymology The word monocle is derived from the Greek word monos meaning one or si

  • monocular

    Etymology The word monocular originates from the Greek word monos μονός meani

  • monogram

    Etymology The word monogram is derived from the Greek words mono meaning single a

  • monolith

    Etymology From Greek μονόλιθος monolíthos from μόνος mónos single

  • monologue

    Etymology of Monologue The word monologue is derived from the Greek words monos mean

  • monomania

    Etymology From Greek monomanēs mad about one thing from monos single mania

  • Monophysite

    Etymology The term Monophysite is derived from the Greek words mono meaning one

  • monopoly

    Etymology and Meaning The word monopoly is derived from two Greek words Mono meanin

  • monosyllable

    Etymology The word monosyllable is derived from two Greek words monos meaning one

  • monotony

    Etymology Latin monotonia Greek monos single sole tonos tone Meaning

  • chartreuse

    Etymology French chartreuse Old French chartreuse Latin cartusia Greek chartousia

  • cloister

    Etymology Old French cloistre Medieval Latin claustrum Latin claudere to clos

  • convent

    Etymology The word convent comes from the Latin word conventus which means an asse

  • scriptorium

    Etymology The word scriptorium comes from the Latin word scriptōrium which means w

  • cell

    Etymology The word cell derives from the Latin word cella meaning small room or c

  • chandler

    Etymology Derived from an Old English surname which in turn originated from the Old Eng

  • abbot

    Etymology The word abbot originates from the Aramaic word abba meaning father M

  • cubicle

    Etymology Cubicle is derived from the Latin word cubus meaning cube or corner

  • abbey

    Etymology Old English abbod from Late Latin abbās nominative from Aramaic abbā vo

  • slang

    Etymology of Slang Originated in the 18th century as a shortening of slangwhanger a