I. ˈreˌklüs, -rə̇ˈk-, rēˈk-, -üz adjective
Etymology: Middle English reclus, recluse, from Old French reclus, literally, shut up, from Late Latin reclusus, past participle of recludere to shut up, from Latin re- + claudere to shut, close — more at close
1.
a. : removed from society : shut up : cloistered
wondered who the recluse reader previously occupying the house could have been — F.N.Souza
b. : avoiding others : solitary
this bird … is shy and recluse , affecting remote marshes — John Burroughs
2. : characterized by solitariness or retirement from society
a recluse existence
3. : remote , secluded
a barren and recluse region
• rec·luse·ly adverb
• rec·luse·ness noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English reclus, recluse, from Middle French reclus, from reclus shut up
1. : a person who lives in seclusion ; specifically : incluse
2. : one who leads a retired or solitary life
the quiet doings of an old would-be recluse — O.W.Holmes †1935
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reclusen, from Late Latin reclusus, past participle of recludere
obsolete : to shut up : seclude