hermit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun one retired from society for religious reasons
    anchorite.
  2. noun one who lives in solitude
    solitary; troglodyte; recluse; solitudinarian.

WordNet

Her"mit noun
Etymology
OE. ermite, eremite, heremit, heremite, F. hermite, ermite, L. eremita, Gr. , fr. lonely, solitary. Cf. Eremite.
Definitions
  1. A person who retires from society and lives in solitude; a recluse; an anchoret; especially, one who so lives from religious motives.
    He had been Duke of Savoy, and after a very glorious reign, took on him the habit of a hermit, and retired into this solitary spot. Addison.
  2. A beadsman; one bound to pray for another. Obs. "We rest your hermits." Shak.

Webster 1913