The word "monastery" is spelled with eight letters and is pronounced /ˈmɒnəstri/. The first syllable "mon" is pronounced with a short "o" sound and is accented. The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound. The third and fourth syllables are pronounced with a long "e" sound and a schwa sound respectively. The spelling of the word "monastery" is consistent with the English language's spelling rules and reflects its Greek root, "monastērion".
A monastery is a noun that refers to a secluded dwelling or community where a group of monks or nuns reside together, dedicating their lives to religious devotion, study, and prayer. Often located in remote areas, monasteries are typically designed to foster an atmosphere of solitude, tranquility, and spiritual discipline.
Monasteries are usually organized around a specific religious order or tradition, such as Christianity, Buddhism, or Islam. They serve as centers for religious education, discipleship, and the preservation of religious texts and practices. Within the walls of a monastery, adherents pursue a life of simplicity, obedience, and renunciation of worldly possessions and pleasures.
The architecture and layout of a monastery often reflect its spiritual purpose. Monasteries commonly feature buildings such as a chapel or church, a library, living quarters or dormitories, and spaces for communal activities. Additionally, monasteries may include gardens, meditation areas, and retreat houses to support their inhabitants' spiritual growth and contemplative practices.
In many historical contexts, monasteries have played crucial roles in providing social services, such as education, healthcare, and charity, to their surrounding communities. They have also assumed political power in some instances, influencing local governance and serving as centers of cultural and intellectual development.
Overall, monasteries have served as sacred retreats designed for devout individuals seeking communion with the divine, deepening their spiritual understanding, and pursuing a life of devotion, contemplation, and service to others.
A religious house for retirement; an abbey; a convent, for either monks or nuns, but more usually the former.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "monastery" traces its origins back to the Greek word "monastḗrion", which derives from the verb "monázō" meaning "to live alone" or "to be alone". This verb comes from the noun "mónos", meaning "alone" or "single". The term was initially used to refer to a dwelling place used by hermits or individuals living in seclusion. Over time, it evolved to signify a place where a group of monks or nuns reside together, dedicating themselves to a religious and contemplative life. Hence, "monastery" refers to a religious community's dwelling place, typically associated with Christianity.