anchoress

American  

[ang-ker-is] / ˈæŋ kər ɪs /

noun

1. a woman who is an anchorite.

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Gender

What's the difference between anchoress and anchor? See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of anchoress

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English anchoryse, Middle English ankres, equivalent to ancre anchorite + -es -ess

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anchoress

Julian lived as an anchoress, a type of religious hermit, and was likely bricked up inside a small stone cell during her 40-odd years of monastic life.

From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2011

“A peering anchoress, who is always thrusting her head outward, is like an untamed bird in a cage,” says the good bishop.

From English Villages by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)

The "cold, wise one," the "anchoress," fell in love with him soon after the lessons began, but carefully hid her feelings from every one.

From The Loves of Great Composers by Kobbé, Gustav

She is apparently not to be confused with another famous anchoress, Julian Lampet, bequests to whom are often recorded in Norwich wills between 1426 and 1478.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen

An old woman sits under the window; the anchoress appears and a conversation begins.

From A Literary History of the English People From the Origins to the Renaissance by Jusserand, Jean Jules