cloister (kloister)

[ ME. clauster, cluster, closter, parallel with cloister ) = OS. klūstar = OFries. klāster = D. klooster =MLG. kloster, kloester OHG.chlōs ter, MHG. G. kloster = Icel. klaustr = Sw. Dan. kloster = Pol. klasztor = Bohem. klaster, a cloister, Withinne the cloistre blisful of thy sydes Took mannes shap the Eternal Love and Pees. Chaucer, Second Nun's Tale, 1. 43. 2. An arched way or a covered walk running round the walls of certain portions of monastic and collegiate buildings. It usually has a wall on Cloister monk. See monk . confine in a cloister or convent. It was of the king's first acts to cloister the queen dowager in the nunnery of Bermondsey. Bacon . close A stately Fir-grove, whither I was wont To hasten, for I found, beneath the roof Of that perennial shade, a cloistral place Of refuge. Words worth, Naming of Places, vi.