Carthusian

noun

Car·​thu·​sian kär-ˈthü-zhən How to pronounce Carthusian (audio)
-ˈthyü-
: a member of an ascetic contemplative religious order founded by St. Bruno in 1084
Carthusian adjective

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin Cartusiensis, from Cartusia Chartreuse, motherhouse of the Carthusian order, near Grenoble, France

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Carthusian was in 1526

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carthusian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Carthusian. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on Carthusian

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!