Anchorite | /mhw>, n. [ F. anachorète, L. anachoreta, fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to go back, retire; &unr_; + &unr_; to give place, retire, &unr_; place; perh. akin to Skr. hā 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 ] Variants: Anchoret |