monasticism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a religious way of life in which people withdraw from ordinary society and live under spiritual discipline, often in a community

   Medieval monasticism created enduring centers of worship, learning, and manuscript production.

From monastic + -ism. Monastic comes through Late Latin monasticus from Greek monastikos ("solitary, monastic"), ultimately from monos ("alone"). The word names the organized practice and ideals of monastic life.

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