anchoress

noun

an·​cho·​ress ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rəs How to pronounce anchoress (audio)
variants or ancress
: a woman who is an anchorite

Examples of anchoress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Some of the spotlighted individuals, like St. Catherine of Siena and English anchoress Julian of Norwich, were celebrated in their day as visionaries, while others, including Kempe and Joan of Arc, were persecuted as heretics. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 Louise, a former anchoress, is her humble, tyrannical maid. Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ankeresse, from anker hermit, from Old English ancor, from Old Irish anchara, from Late Latin anachoreta

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anchoress was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near anchoress

Cite this Entry

“Anchoress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchoress. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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