Hermit

n. [Lat. eremita, Gr. ἐρημίτης, from ἐρή-μος, lonely, solitary; It. eremita, Pr. ermita, Fr. ermite, hermite.] 1. A person who retires from society and lives in solitude; a recluse; an anchoret; especially, one who so lives from religious motives. He had been Duke of Savoy, and after a very glorious reign, took on him the habit of a hermit, and retired into this solitary spot. Addison. 2. A beadsman; one bound to pray for another. [Obs.] Shak.