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

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

The townsmen of Gratz, hoarse-voiced touzleheads mostly, divined her to be an anchoress, a saint, or an unfortunate.

From The Life and Death of Richard Yea-and-Nay by Hewlett, Maurice Henry

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

What hath this holy anchoress done, that thou burthenest thyself with the sore burden of her blood?

From Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp by Payne, John

“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)