Main Entry: Es·sene

Pronunciation: \i-ˈsēn, ˈe-ˌsēn\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek Essēnos

Date: 1553

: a member of a monastic brotherhood of Jews in Palestine from the second century b.c. to the second century a.d.

— Es·se·ni·an \i-ˈsē-nē-ən, e-ˈse-\ or Es·se·nic \-ˈse-nik, -ˈsē-nik\ adjective

— Es·se·nism \-ˈsē-ˌni-zəm\ noun