cloistered

[ kloi-sterd ]

/ ˈklɔɪ stərd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cloistered ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

secluded from the world; sheltered: a cloistered life.

having a cloister or cloisters.

Nearby words

Origin of cloistered

First recorded in 1575–85; cloister + -ed²

SYNONYMS FOR cloistered

1 withdrawn, isolated, aloof, sequestered.

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Related formsnon·clois·tered, adjectiveun·clois·tered, adjectivewell-clois·tered, adjective

Definition for cloistered (2 of 2)

cloister

[ kloi-ster ]

/ ˈklɔɪ stər /

noun

a covered walk, especially in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade usually opening onto a courtyard.

a courtyard, especially in a religious institution, bordered with such walks.

a place of religious seclusion, as a monastery or convent.

any quiet, secluded place.

life in a monastery or convent.

verb (used with object)

to confine in a monastery or convent.

to confine in retirement; seclude.

to furnish with a cloister or covered walk.

to convert into a monastery or convent.

Origin of cloister

1250–1300; Middle English cloistre < Anglo-French, Old French, blend of cloison partition (see cloisonné) and clostre (< Latin claustrum barrier (Late Latin: enclosed place); see claustrum)

SYNONYMS FOR cloister

3 abbey, priory.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cloister ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsclois·ter·less, adjectiveclois·ter·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cloistered

Formerly a playground for Sunday school kids, it has a spooky, cloistered feel to it.
The Stacks: The Judas Priest Teen Suicide Trial|Ivan Solotaroff|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But over the years, cloistered in their mountain keep, complete with moat, Bender and Patton became ever more reclusive.
Gems, Guns and Death in a Jungle Mansion|Zach Dyer|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why should the cloistered wants of juvenile men, with baby opinions, dominate any medium and industry so many of us care about?
The Video Game Industry Is Too White, Straight, and Male for Its Own Good|Tauriq Moosa|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After World War II, interstate highways opened, and new bypasses rerouted life away from cloistered downtowns.
The Dark Side of the Midwest|Justin Green|April 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They expect speedy action to integrate that cloistered community into the army and the workforce.
Obama Complicates Netanyahu’s Coalition Talks|J. J. Goldberg|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Cloistered in the life of the harem, their ideas do not reach beyond the horizon of the harem.
French and Oriental Love in a Harem|Mario Uchard
The food for the cardinals is introduced by a turn, so well known in convents of cloistered communities.
Leo XIII., the Great Leader|Rev. A. P. Doyle
But the Sisters of the Stricken Heart are not cloistered nuns.
Sister Dolorosa and Posthumous Fame|James Lane Allen
Her essence of virginal femininity, its pure and cloistered and white-camisoled odor, bespelled Carl to fainting timidity.
The Trail of the Hawk|Sinclair Lewis
Round these two was the wood, its leafy walls a haven of cloistered, quiet privacy.
Rich Man, Poor Man|Maximilian Foster

British Dictionary definitions for cloistered (1 of 2)

cloistered

/ (ˈklɔɪstəd) /

adjective

secluded or shut up from the world

living in a monastery or nunnery

(of a building, courtyard, etc) having or provided with a cloister

British Dictionary definitions for cloistered (2 of 2)

cloister

/ (ˈklɔɪstə) /

noun

a covered walk, usually around a quadrangle in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade on the inside and a wall on the outside

(sometimes plural) a place of religious seclusion, such as a monastery

life in a monastery or convent

verb

(tr) to confine or seclude in or as if in a monastery

Derived Formscloister-like, adjective

Word Origin for cloister

C13: from Old French cloistre, from Medieval Latin claustrum monastic cell, from Latin: bolt, barrier, from claudere to close; influenced in form by Old French cloison partition

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cloistered (1 of 2)

cloister

early 13c., from Old French cloistre "monastery, convent; enclosure" (12c., Modern French cloître), from Medieval Latin claustrum "portion of monastery closed off to laity," from Latin claustrum (usually in plural, claustra) "place shut in, enclosure; bar, bolt, means of shutting in," from past participle stem of claudere (see close (v.)).

"The original purpose of cloisters was to afford a place in which the monks could take exercise and recreation" [Century Dictionary]. Spelling in French influenced by cloison "partition." Old English had clustor, clauster in the sense "prison, lock, barrier," directly from Latin, and cf. from the same source Dutch klooster, German Kloster, Polish klasztor.

Word Origin and History for cloistered (1 of 2)

cloister

c.1400 (implied in cloistered), from cloister (n.). Figurative use from c.1600. Related: Cloistered; cloistering.

cloistered

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of cloistered

Definition for cloistered (2 of 2)

cloister

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of cloister

Examples from the Web for cloistered

British Dictionary definitions for cloistered (1 of 2)

cloistered

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for cloistered (2 of 2)

cloister

noun

verb

Word Origin for cloister

Word Origin and History for cloistered (1 of 2)

cloister

Word Origin and History for cloistered (1 of 2)

cloister