cenobite

American  

[see-nuh-bahyt, sen-uh-] / ˈsi nəˌbaɪt, ˈsɛn ə- /

Or coenobite

noun

1. a member of a religious order living in a convent or community.

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cenobite British  

/ ˈsiːnəʊˌbaɪt /

noun

1. a variant spelling of coenobite

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Other Word Forms

• cenobian adjective
• cenobitic adjective
• cenobitical adjective
• cenobitically adverb
• cenobitism noun

Etymology

Origin of cenobite

1630–40; < Late Latin coenobīta, equivalent to coenob- (< Greek koinóbios (adj.) conventual, living together, equivalent to koino- ceno- ² + bi- bi- ² + -os adj. suffix) + -īta -ite ¹

Example Sentences

He pushed his quarrels to the death, yet prayed The saints as fervently on bended knees As ever shaven cenobite.

From Poems by Bryant, William Cullen

About the close of the fourth century the cenobite system was introduced into Europe, and in an astonishingly short space of time spread throughout all the western countries where Christianity had gained a foothold.

From General History for Colleges and High Schools by Myers, Philip Van Ness

Thinner, much older, his long, spidery arms, almost colorless blond hair and eroded features gave him the air of a cenobite who had escaped from some Scandinavian wilderness into life.

From Melomaniacs by Huneker, James

Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but I have found, in my long life, that the cenobite has no foe worse than sadness.

From Thais by Douglas, Robert B. (Robert Bruce)

The cenobite gave him a grim smile, but merely added his benedicite and passed on.

From Agincourt The Works of G. P. R. James, Volume XX by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)