monastic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to monasteries.
a monastic library.
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of monks or nuns, their manner of life, or their religious obligations.
monastic vows.
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of a secluded, dedicated, or austere manner of living.
noun
adjective
-
of or relating to monasteries or monks, nuns, etc
-
resembling this sort of life; reclusive
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of monastic
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English monastik, from Middle French monastique or directly from Late Latin monasticus, from Late Greek monastikós, equivalent to monas- (derivative of monázein “to be alone, live alone”) + -ikos adjective suffix, with -t- by analogy with derivatives of agent nouns in -tēs; see mon-, -ic: cf. athlete)
Explanation
Monastic means like in a monastery. So what is it like in a monastery? Well, it's solitary, somewhat isolated, plain, and disciplined. If you take monastic vows, you promise to live this way. Being monastic might sound like a strange or a hard thing to be, but you can compare it to student life very well. Both monks and students spend a lot of time studying books. Monks like quiet, and students need quiet to get work done. Monks live in a community devoted to religion, and students study in a community devoted to learning. The stereotypical party lifestyle of a student isn't very monastic though.
Vocabulary lists containing monastic
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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As You Like It
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Content Summary 2.2: South Asian States and Dharmic Religions
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When Kristen Hartke wrote about soup master Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette and we published his Monastic Garlic Soup, I slurped it up with enthusiasm.
From Washington Post • Dec. 27, 2022
Later that decade, Alice Coltrane recorded her solo debut record, “A Monastic Trio,” in a studio in the basement.
From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2018
Monastic seriousness isn’t the only way to take in a show.
From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2018
She was the first with the widely copied "Monastic" dress, a full and shapeless forerunner of the pleated Grecian sheath and all the other unwaisted dresses.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Monastic Church is now admitted to the rank of a Cathedral.
From The Towns of Roman Britain by Bevan, James Oliver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
