culdee

noun

cul·dee

ˈkəlˌdē

plural -s

often capitalized

archaic : one of a class of religious recluses appearing first in Ireland in the 7th century

archaic : an Irish or Scottish monk

Word History

Etymology

New Latin culdei (plural), alteration (influenced by New Latin cultores Dei worshipers of God) of Medieval Latin keldei, keledei, from Old Irish cēle Dē, literally, companion of God, from cēle companion + Dē, genitive of Dia God; akin to Latin civis citizen and to Latin deus god