Cloister

klois′tėr, n. a covered arcade forming part of a monastic or collegiate establishment: a place of religious retirement, a monastery or nunnery: an enclosed place.— v.t. to confine in a cloister: to confine within walls.— adjs. Clois′teral , Clois′tral , Claus′tral , pertaining or confined to a cloister: secluded; Clois′tered , dwelling in cloisters.— ns. Clois′terer , one belonging to a cloister; Clois′ter-garth , the court or yard enclosed by a cloister; Clois′tre ( Shak. ), a nun.— The cloister , the monastic life. [O. Fr. cloistre (A.S. clauster )—L. claustrum — claudĕre , clausum , to shut.]