Asketes
/æsˈkiːtiːz/noun
An ascetic or religious practitioner devoted to disciplined spiritual training.
Did you know?The Greek word originally belonged to the language of athletic training before being applied to philosophers and religious devotees who practiced rigorous self-discipline.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀσκέω (askeō)
“To practice, train, exercise, or work skillfully”
Classical Greek
Greek
ἄσκησις (askēsis)
“Practice, training, or disciplined exercise”
Classical Greek
Greek
ἀσκητής (askētēs)
“A practitioner or one who trains, especially in philosophical or spiritual discipline”
Late Antiquity
Greek
ἀσκητής (askētēs)
“A religious ascetic devoted to rigorous spiritual practice”
Late Latin
Latin
ascēta
“An ascetic or religious hermit”
17th Century
English
ascetic
“Practicing severe self-discipline, especially for religious reasons”
Explore more surprising origins