recluse
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1re·cluse

adjective \ˈre-ˌklüs, ri-ˈklüs, ˈre-ˌklüz\

Definition of RECLUSE

: marked by withdrawal from society : solitary
re·clu·sive \ri-ˈklü-siv, -ziv\ adjective
re·clu·sive·ly adverb
re·clu·sive·ness noun

Origin of RECLUSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French reclus, literally, shut away, from Late Latin reclusus, past participle of recludere to shut up, from Latin re- + claudere to close — more at close
First Known Use: 13th century

2recluse

noun

Definition of RECLUSE

: a person who leads a secluded or solitary life

Examples of RECLUSE

  1. My neighbor is a recluse—I only see him about once a year.
  2. <he was sick of cities and crowds, so he decided to go live by himself in the woods as a recluse>

First Known Use of RECLUSE

13th century

Related to RECLUSE

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