An″cho‐ret (�), An″cho‐rite (�), n. [F. anachorète, L. anachoreta, fr. Gr. �, fr. � to go back, retire; � + � to give place, retire, � place; perh. akin to Skr. hā to leave. Cf. Anchor a hermit.] One who renounces the world and secludes himself, usually for religious reasons; a hermit; a recluse. [Written by some authors anachoret.]
Our Savior himself... did not choose an anchorite's or a monastic life, but a social and affable way of conversing with mortals.
Boyle.