anchoress Definition
a woman who lives a solitary life of prayer and contemplation in a small, self-contained dwelling, usually attached to a church.
Using anchoress: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "anchoress" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The anchoress spent most of her days in prayer and meditation.
Example
The church provided the anchoress with food and other necessities.
Example
An anchoress would typically live in a small cell attached to a church.
anchoress Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with anchoress
the small, self-contained dwelling where an anchoress lives
Example
The anchorhold was a small, sparsely furnished room with a window that opened into the church.
a religious community whose members take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and live a cloistered life
Example
An anchoress is a member of an enclosed religious order.
a secluded retreat or place of solitude
Example
The anchoress's anchorhold was her hermitage, a place of quiet contemplation and prayer.
Origins of anchoress
from Old English 'anchore', meaning 'hermit'
Summary: anchoress in Brief
An 'anchoress' [ˈæŋkərɪs] is a woman who lives a solitary life of prayer and contemplation in a small, self-contained dwelling, usually attached to a church. The term comes from Old English 'anchore', meaning 'hermit.' An anchoress spends most of her days in prayer and meditation and is typically provided with food and other necessities by the church. Phrases like 'anchorhold' and 'enclosed religious order' are associated with anchoresses and their way of life.
