Monastery

Mon′as·te·ry (mŏn′ăs·tĕr·y̆), n.; pl. Monasteries (#). [L. monasterium, Gr. μοναστήριον, fr. μοναστής a solitary, a monk, fr. μονάζειν to be alone, live in solitude, fr. μόνος alone. Cf. Minister.] A house of religious retirement, or of secusion from ordinary temporal concerns, especially for monks; — more rarely applied to such a house for females.

Syn. — Convent; abbey; priory. See Cloister.