Agapet
/ˈæɡəpɛt/noun
A member of an early Christian group of women who lived in spiritual association with clergy or male ascetics, often under a vow of chastity.
Did you know?Agapets were praised as spiritual companions by some Christians but condemned by church authorities when their close domestic relationships with clergy became associated with scandal.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀγαπητός (agapētós)
“Beloved, dearly loved”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀγαπητή (agapētḗ)
“Beloved woman or female companion”
Late Antiquity
Late Latin
agapeta
“A woman associated with a male ascetic or cleric in a supposedly spiritual relationship”
Early Christian Latin
Latin
agapetae
“Women living in religious companionship with clergy or ascetics”
Middle English
English
agapet
“A member of this early Christian class”
Modern English
English
agapet
“An early Christian female spiritual companion, especially one living celibately with clergy”