Cistercian

[ si-stur-shuhn ]

noun

1. a member of an order of monks and nuns founded in 1098 at Citeaux, near Dijon, France, under the rule of St. Benedict.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Cistercians.

Cistercian

/ sɪˈstɜːʃən /

noun

1. 1. Also calledWhite Monk a member of a Christian order of monks and nuns founded in 1098, which follows an especially strict form of the Benedictine rule
   2. ( as modifier )

      a Cistercian monk

Other Words From

• Cis·tercian·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cistercian¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin Cisterciānus < Latin Cisterci ( um ) placename (now Cîteaux ) + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cistercian¹

C17: from French Cistercien, from Medieval Latin Cisterciānus, from Cistercium (modern Cîteaux ), original home of the order

Example Sentences

Even the storied Red Burgundies made by Cistercian monks were dark pink.

From The Daily Beast

Had not he, vowed as he was to the stern Cistercian rule, two wives?

From Project Gutenberg

He was dressed in the white robe of a Cistercian, with the black scapulary of the order.

From Project Gutenberg

The annals of the Cistercian house of Waverley, near Farnham, go down to 1291.

From Project Gutenberg

The monastery was built, we are told, in the time of King John, by a number of Cistercian monks.

From Project Gutenberg

The severity of the Cistercian discipline was excessive, and only drove monks out of the order.

From Project Gutenberg