from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Anchoret \An"cho*ret\, Anchorite \An"cho*rite\, n. [F.
anachor[`e]te, L. anachoreta, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to go back,
retire; ? + ? to give place, retire, ? place; perh. akin to
Skr. h[=a] to leave. Cf. {Anchor} a hermit.]
One who renounces the world and secludes himself, usually for
religious reasons; a hermit; a recluse. [Written by some
authors {anachoret}.]
[1913 Webster]
Our Savior himself . . . did not choose an anchorite's
or a monastic life, but a social and affable way of
conversing with mortals. --Boyle.
[1913 Webster] Anchoretic