Mŏn'as-tĕr'y, n.

(colloq. mŏn'as-try̆), n. [Fr. monastère, Pr. monasteri, It. monastero, monasterio, Sp. monasterio, Lat. monasterium, Gr. μοναστήριον, from μοναστήρ, equivalent to μονάστης, a solitary, a monk, from μονάζειν, to be alone, to live in solitude, from μόνος, alone. Cf. MINSTER.] A house of religious retirement, or of seclusion from ordinary temporal concerns, especially for monks; — more rarely applied to such a house for females.

Synonyms— Cloister; convent; nunnery; abbey; priory. See CLOISTER.