Monk
Pronunciation
- IPA: /mʌŋk/
- Rhymes: -ʌŋk
Origin
Old English munuc, from Latin monachus, from Ancient Greek μοναχός (monachos, "single, solitary"), from μόνος (monos, "alone")
Full definition of monk
Noun
monk
(plural monks)- A male member of a monastic order who has devoted his life for religious service.
- in earlier usage, an eremite or hermit devoted to solitude, as opposed to a cenobite, who lived communally.
- 1907, w, The Dust of Conflict Chapter 20, Tony's face expressed relief, and Nettie sat silent for a moment until the vicar said “It was a generous impulse, but it may have been a momentary one, while in the case of monk and crusader there must have been a sustaining purpose, and possibly a great abnegation, a leaving of lands and possessions.â€
- (slang) A male who leads an isolated life; a loner, a hermit.
- (slang) An unmarried man who does not have sexual relationships.
- (slang) A judge.
- (printing) A blotch or spot of ink on a printed page, caused by the ink not being properly distributed; distinguished from a friar, or white spot caused by a deficiency of ink.
- A piece of tinder made of agaric, used in firing the powder hose or train of a mine.
- A South American monkey (); also applied to other species, as .
- The .