Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AN'CHO-RET, n. [Gr. αναχωρητης, from αναχωρεω, to retire, of ανα, and χωρεω, to go. Written by some authors, anachoret.]

A hermit; a recluse; one who retires from society into a desert or solitary place, to avoid the temptations of the world and devote himself to religious duties. Also a monk, who, with the leave of the abbot, retires to a cave or cell, with an allowance from the monastery, to live in solitude. – Encyc.