Pronunciation: [ˈankəɹˌɛs] (IPA) 
The word "anchoress" is spelled with an "a" followed by "nch" and then "oress". The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈæŋ.kə.res/. The "a" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, the "nch" is pronounced as a single sound that combines "n" and "ch", and the "oress" is pronounced with a long "o" followed by a "res" sound. An "anchoress" is a woman who chooses to live a solitary life of prayer and contemplation.
An anchoress, noun, refers to a person, usually a woman, who withdraws from the world and lives a solitary life in a small, enclosed space known as an anchorhold, typically attached to a church. It is a term derived from the Old English word "anchore," which means "hermit" or "one who withdraws." An anchoress voluntarily chooses seclusion and lives a life of extreme devotion to spiritual matters. This medieval religious practice emerged during the early Christian era, particularly popular during the 11th to 14th centuries.
An anchoress lives in strict enclosure and dedicates herself to a life of prayer, contemplation, and self-discipline. Sustained by the nearby church community, the anchoress often spends her days in meditation, religious study, and composing spiritual manuscripts. The anchorhold usually consists of two rooms, one serving as a living quarters equipped with basic amenities, while the other acts as a chapel for conducting daily religious rituals.
The anchoress is denied material possessions and physical contact with the outside world. Instead, they serve as spiritual guides, offering advice and counsel to the villagers who seek solace and guidance. They become revered figures, known for their wisdom and piety, their isolation seen as a noble sacrifice. Though the practice of anchoress has largely faded away, some vestiges of it can still be found in certain religious traditions today.
The word "anchoress" comes from the Old English term "ancres", which ultimately derives from the Greek word "anakhōrēsis". The Greek term is composed of "ana" (meaning "against" or "back") and "khōrēsis" (meaning "place" or "space"), which together convey the sense of being confined or secluded within a confined space. Over time, the term "ancres" in Old English evolved into "anchoress", designating a female religious recluse who lives in seclusion for religious devotion.
