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cloister
cloister definition
clois·ter (klo̵is′tər)
noun
- a place of religious seclusion: monastery or convent
- monastic life
- any place where one may lead a secluded life
- an arched way or covered walk along the inside wall or walls of a monastery, convent, church, or college building, with a columned opening along one side leading to a courtyard or garden
Etymology: ME < OFr cloistre & OE clauster, both < ML(Ec) claustrum, portion of monastery closed off to the laity < L, a bolt, place shut in < pp. of claudere, to close
transitive verb
- to seclude or confine in or as in a cloister
- to furnish or surround with a cloister
Related Forms:
- cloistered clois′·tered adjective
- cloistral clois′·tral (-trəl) adjective
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