Definition

A woman who lives alone in a secluded place for religious purposes, often dedicating her life to prayer and contemplation.

Example

The anchoress spent her days in prayer and reflection, away from the distractions of the world.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of an anchoress?

Yeah, I think it's a woman who lives in seclusion for religious reasons, right?

Exactly! I read about one who dedicated her life to prayer and meditation.

That sounds really peaceful; I admire their commitment to spirituality.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Anchoress is formed from "anchor" (from Latin *ancora*, meaning a device for mooring a ship) and the suffix "-ess" (meaning a female). The word refers to a woman who lives in seclusion, often in a religious context, akin to being anchored in a specific place for spiritual purposes.

Memory Tip

Think of an 'anchor' that keeps a ship in place, and the '-ess' indicates a woman. An anchoress is a woman who is spiritually anchored in her secluded life.

Visually Confused Words