hermit
UK[ˈhɜːmɪt]US[ˈhɜːrmɪt]
n
a person who lives alone and apart from society for religious reasons
n
a recluse; a person who avoids the company of others
Etymology
the word 'hermit' traces its lineage to the ancient greek concept of solitude embodied in the word 'erēmia', meaning 'desert' or 'lonely place'. this term gave rise to 'erēmitēs', denoting one who dwells in such isolation, often for spiritual contemplation. adopted into latin as 'eremita', the word traveled into old french as 'hermite' before entering middle english. the core semantic link from a literal 'desert dweller' to a modern 'recluse' remains powerfully intact, preserving the original logic of voluntary withdrawal from society into solitude.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it entered english from old french 'hermite', which derived from late latin 'eremita', meaning 'of the desert'. this, in turn, came from greek 'erēmitēs', meaning 'a person of the desert', from 'erēmia' (desert, solitude).
Examples
the old hermit lived in a small cave in the mountains, seeing no one for years.
after his retirement, he became something of a hermit, rarely leaving his house.
in many religious traditions, a hermit seeks god through a life of prayer and solitude.