cloister

/'klɔistə/

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Word: Cloister

Part of Speech: Noun and Verb

Basic Definition:

1. Noun:

   • A cloister is a quiet, covered area, often found in religious buildings like monasteries or convents. It usually has a garden in the middle and is surrounded by walls or covered walkways.
   • It can also refer to a place where people live away from the outside world, focusing on religious activities.

2. Verb:

   • To cloister means to keep someone or something away from the outside world, almost like putting them in a quiet, private space.

Usage Instructions:

• As a noun, you might say, "The monks walked in the cloister, enjoying the peaceful surroundings."
• As a verb, you might say, "She decided to cloister herself in her study to focus on her writing."

Example Sentences:

• Noun: "The cloister of the monastery was filled with beautiful flowers and the sound of birds."
• Verb: "After the stressful week, he wanted to cloister himself away for a few days to relax."

Advanced Usage:

• In literature, cloisters may symbolize isolation or a retreat from the chaos of the world, often used in discussions about spirituality or personal reflection.

Word Variants:

• Cloistered (adjective): Referring to someone or something that is secluded or isolated.
  • Example: "He lived a cloistered life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city."
• Cloistering (verb): The act of secluding or isolating someone or something.

Different Meanings:

• In a broader context, "cloister" can refer to any place of solitude, not just religious settings. It can also imply a metaphorical separation from society.

Synonyms:

• Noun:
  • Convent, monastery, atrium, arcade (when referring to the structure)
• Verb:
  • Isolate, seclude, retreat, shelter

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While "cloister" itself does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs, phrases like "to retreat into oneself" or "to take a step back" can convey a similar idea of isolation or seeking solitude.

Summary:

The word "cloister" can describe both a physical space associated with religious life and a state of seclusion.

Academic

Noun

1. a courtyard with covered walks (as in religious institutions)
2. residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery)

Verb

1. seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister
   • She cloistered herself in the office
2. surround with a cloister
   • cloister the garden
3. surround with a cloister, as of a garden

Synonyms

• religious residence