monk

Definitions

From Greek monakhos, 'a solitary person' (from monos, alone). A monk is literally 'one who lives alone' — the earliest monks were hermits who withdrew from society. The mono- prefix is hidden inside the word but it's the same root.

Why It Means This

The picture we have of a monk — shaved head, robes, a community — comes later. The word itself just records the original act: leaving the world to be alone. From this solitary figure came monastery, monastic and monkish.

Common Collocations

• 1.Buddhist monk佛教僧侣
• 2.Zen monk禅宗和尚
• 3.become a monk出家为僧
• 4.monk's robes僧袍

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The monk spent hours each day in silent meditation.

• 2.

  Buddhist monks walked through the village collecting alms.

• 3.

  He lives like a monk, with almost no possessions.