anchoress
/ˈæŋkərəs/
noun
- A woman who lives a solitary religious life, often confined to a small room or cell for prayer and meditation.
- The anchoress spent her days in prayer and silence, rarely leaving her small stone cell.
- The village sought the anchoress's advice on spiritual matters through a small window in her wall.
- In medieval times, an anchoress would be walled into her room during a special ceremony.