monk

¹

[muhngk]

noun

1. (in Christianity) a man who has withdrawn from the world for religious reasons, especially as a member of an order of cenobites living according to a particular rule and under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

   Synonyms: brother

2. (in any religion) a man who is a member of a monastic order.

   a Buddhist monk.

3. Printing.,  a dark area on a printed page caused by uneven inking of the plate or type.

Monk

²

[muhngk]

noun

1. (James) Arthur Art, born 1957, U.S. football player.

2. Thelonious (Sphere), 1917–1982, U.S. jazz pianist and composer.

3. George. Monck, George.

Monk

¹

/ mʌŋk /

noun

1. Thelonious ( Sphere ) (θəˈləʊnɪəs). 1920–82, US jazz pianist and composer

2. a variant spelling of (George) Monck

monk

²

/ mʌŋk /

noun

1. a male member of a religious community bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

2. (sometimes capital) a fancy pigeon having a bald pate and often large feathered feet

Word History and Origins

Origin of monk¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Greek monachós “hermit,” noun use of adjective: “solitary,” equivalent to món(os) “alone” + -achos adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of monk¹

Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek: solitary (man), from Greek monos alone

Synonym Study

Monk, friar refer to members of special male groups whose lives are devoted to the service of the church, especially in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox denominations. A monk is properly a member of a monastery, under a superior; he is bound by a vow of stability, and is a co-owner of the community property of the monastery. Since the Reformation, monk and friar have been used as if they were the same. A friar is, however, strictly speaking, a member of a mendicant order, whose members are not attached to a monastery and own no community property.

Example Sentences

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered that monk parakeets meeting unfamiliar birds tend to "test the waters" before deciding whether a potential partner is safe to approach.

Read more on Science Daily

The cells offer an experience quite distinct from any museum, allowing viewers to physically and imaginatively put themselves in the place of the 15th-century monks who lived and worshipped there.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Times asked Thai restaurant owners, Buddhist monks, social workers and other community members to share how they seek support on their personal mental health journeys.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He shares his story with other monks because he understands the cultural and labor expectations often placed upon them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Times asked Thai restaurant owners, Buddhist monks, social workers and other community members to share how they seek support on their personal mental health journeys.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abbot 
• friar 
• priest