What does "benedictine" mean?
A monk or nun belonging to the order founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia.
Benedictine
adj, noun
adj, noun ·4 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A monk or nun belonging to the order founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia.
- Grammar: benedictine is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abbey-related, augustinian, augustinian hermit, austin friar.
- Useful contrasts: lay, layperson, nonalcoholic.
- Usage evidence: Some of her most interesting remarks on writing appear in her letters to Sister Mariella Gable, a strong-minded Minnesota Benedictine who admired O'Connor greatly. In the fifties, O'Connor tells a friend, when Sister Mariella's bishop ordered her to stop teaching Catcher in the Rye, she defied him and was banished.
How to use "benedictine"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "benedictine" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "benedictine" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "benedictine" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "benedictine" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "benedictine" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abbey-related" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A monk or nun belonging to the order founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia.
"Some of her most interesting remarks on writing appear in her letters to Sister Mariella Gable, a strong-minded Minnesota Benedictine who admired O'Connor greatly. In the fifties, O'Connor tells a friend, when Sister Mariella's bishop ordered her to stop teaching Catcher in the Rye, she defied him and was banished."
- 2 a French liqueur originally made by Benedictine monks wordnet
- 3 A type of liqueur originating from the Benedictine cloister of Fécamp in France, made from cognac together with herb and spice extracts.
"Cripps differed from Partridge there, and proceeded to prove, by personal instances, that the safest thing for a man to drink was benedictine."
- 4 a monk or nun belonging to the order founded by Saint Benedict wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Of or pertaining to St. Benedict of Nursia. not-comparable
"Hypothetically, Srinivasan suggests network states for people who eat specific diets (kosher, keto), for people who don’t like FDA regulation, for people who don’t like cancel culture, for people who want to live like Benedictine monks, for people who might want to limit internet use by putting public buildings in Faraday cages."
- 2 Of or pertaining to the Benedictine Order. not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to the Benedictines wordnet
- 2 of or relating to Saint Benedict or his works wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Some of her most interesting remarks on writing appear in her letters to Sister Mariella Gable, a strong-minded Minnesota Benedictine who admired O'Connor greatly. In the fifties, O'Connor tells a friend, when Sister Mariella's bishop ordered her to stop teaching Catcher in the Rye, she defied him and was banished."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "benedictine"?
Common synonyms include: abbey-related, augustinian, augustinian hermit, austin friar, begging hermit, bernardine.
How do you use "benedictine" in a sentence?
Some of her most interesting remarks on writing appear in her letters to Sister Mariella Gable, a strong-minded Minnesota Benedictine who admired O'Connor greatly. In the fifties, O'Connor tells a friend, when Sister Mariella's bishop ordered her to stop teaching Catcher in the Rye, she defied him and was banished.
Etymology
From French bénédictin, from Latin benedictus, named after Italian 6th century Saint Benedict of Nursia (Latin: Benedictus Nursiae). Recorded in English from the 17th century. By surface analysis, Benedict + -ine.