adj. & n.
--adj.
1. of or relating to monasteries or the religious communities living in them.
2 resembling these or their way of life; solitary and celibate.
--n. a monk or other follower of a monastic rule.
Derivatives:
monastically adv. monasticism n. monasticize v.tr. (also -ise).
Etymology: F monastique or LL monasticus f. Gk monastikos (as MONASTERY)