Essene

noun

Es·​sene i-ˈsēn How to pronounce Essene (audio) ˈe-ˌsēn How to pronounce Essene (audio)
: a member of a monastic brotherhood of Jews in Palestine from the second century b.c. to the second century a.d.
Essenian adjective
or Essenic
i-ˈse-nik How to pronounce Essene (audio)
-ˈsē-nik,
e-
Essenism noun

Word History

Etymology

Greek Essēnos

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Essene was in 1553

Dictionary Entries Near Essene

Cite this Entry

“Essene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Essene. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Essene

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!