Cloister
A convent or monastery; a secluded, enclosed area within a religious complex.
nounCloister
A convent or monastery; a secluded, enclosed area within a religious complex.
nounImagine This
When the oyster becomes tired of his surroundings, it can simply close its shell to isolate itself from the outside world.
Sounds Like
CLOI-ster
Looks Like
closet (similar letters)
Remember This
As a noun, cloister refers to the religious enclosure; as a verb, to cloister someone means to seclude them. The word comes from Latin claustrum via Old French cloistre.
Other Forms
Connect With
monastery, convent, abbey, seclusion, retreat, monastic life, enclosure
Note
The noun often refers to a covered walkway or courtyard in a monastery or convent; not to be confused with 'closet' though they share roots. The related adjective is cloistered.
Study Deeper
- The monks prayed in the quiet cloister after the service.
- Architects restored the cloister to preserve the monastery's historic charm.
From Old French cloistre, from Latin claustrum meaning 'a shut place' or barrier; related to claudere 'to close'.
CLOISTER sounds like 'closet' with a twist—the place you go to close yourself off from the world.
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Acronym
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