Hesychast

American  

[hes-i-kast] / ˈhɛs ɪˌkæst /

noun

1. one of a sect of mystics that originated in the 14th century among the monks on Mt. Athos, Greece.

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Hesychast British  

/ ˈhɛsɪˌkæst /

noun

1. Greek Orthodox Church a member of a school of mysticism developed by the monks of Mount Athos in the 14th century

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Other Word Forms

• Hesychastic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hesychast

1825–35; < Medieval Latin hesychasta < Greek hēsychastḗs a recluse, equivalent to hēsycház ( ein ) to be quiet, be still (verbal derivative of hḗsychos quiet, still) + -tēs agent suffix