ə̇ˈsēn, eˈs-, ˈeˌs- noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Greek Essēnos
: a member of an ascetic, esoteric, and monastic brotherhood among the Jews of Palestine from the second century B.C. to the second century A.D. who practiced a community of goods and rigorous discipline and for the most part shunned the company of women
• es·se·ni·an ə̇ˈsēnēən, (ˈ)e|s- adjective , usually capitalized
• es·sen·ic ə̇ˈsenik, (ˈ)e|s-, -sēn- adjective , usually capitalized
• es·sen·ism ə̇ˈsēˌnizəm, eˈs-, ˈeˌs- noun -s usually capitalized