anchorite

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anchorite, anchoret religious recluse occupying a cell. XV. — medL. an(a)chorīta, -rēta — ecclGr. anakhōrētḗs, f. anakhōreín retire, retreat, f. aná back, ANA- + khṓrā, khôros space, place. Superseded earlier †anchor (OE. — OIr. anchara, shortened — medL. anachorēta), whence anchoress, ancress XIV. anchor-hold (see HOLD2) anchorite's cell XVII.

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