ˈkəlˌdē noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: New Latin culdei (plural), alteration (influenced by New Latin cultores Dei worshipers of God) of Medieval Latin keldei, keledei, from Old Irish cēle Dē, literally, companion of God, from cēle companion + Dē, gen. of Dia God; akin to Latin civis citizen and to Latin deus god — more at cemetery , deity
1. archaic : one of a class of religious recluses appearing first in Ireland in the 7th century
2. archaic : an Irish or Scottish monk