in church-history, denotes a hermit, or solitary monk, who retires from the society of mankind into some desert, with a view to avoid the temptations of the world, and to be more at leisure for meditation and prayer. Such were Paul, Anthony, and Hilarius, the first founders of monastic life in Egypt and Palestine.

Anachorets, among the Greeks, consist principally of monks, who retire to caves or cells, with the leave of the abbot, and an allowance from the monastery; or who, weary of the fatigues of the monastery, purchase a spot of ground, to which they retreat, never appearing again in the monastery, unless on solemn occasions.