anchoritismn.
/ˈaŋk(ə)rᵻtɪz(ə)m/, /ˈaŋk(ə)rʌɪtɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈæŋk(ə)rᵻˌtɪz(ə)m/, /ˈæŋk(ə)ˌraɪˌtɪz(ə)m/ The practice of living as an anchorite; an anchorite's way of life; solitary or secluded existence; = anchorism n.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > monasticism > anchorite > [noun] > life of
reclusionc1430
anchorism1573
anchoritism1660
recluse1665
hermitship1825
1660 E. Sparke Θυσιαστηριον (ed. 2) xxviii. 491 Hermitage, or sullen Anchoretisme.
1704 Athenian Oracle III. 246/2 The Easterlings cou'd much better abide it, and Anchoretism sits much better on their Stomachs, than it does with us in these cold Northern Climates.
1790 J. Byng Diary 9 June in Torrington Diaries (1935) II. 161 I walk'd..to this picturesque scenery of delight..where, even, sequestration, and anchoritism might appear happiness.
1862 R. H. Patterson Ess. Hist. & Art 347 The peaceful and humble Anchoritism of the first centuries.
1921 A. Stringer Wine of Life vi. 75 He wrung a laugh, too, from the self-imposed pauperism of the MacDougall Alley colony and the convivial anchoritism of ‘The Mews’.
2006 College Eng. 68 490 The shift that was to come..was away from the communal and toward the personal self-sacrifice of anchoritism.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1660