SINCE 1828
agapetae
plural noun
aga·pe·tae
| \ ˌä-gə-ˈpā-ˌtī, ˌa-gə-; ˌa-gə-ˈpē-ˌtē\
Definition of agapetae
: women of the early church who lived under a vow of chastity in the same house with men bound to strict celibacy
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on agapetae
What made you want to look up agapetae? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
-
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Original Meanings Quiz
A quiz for the pedantic and those annoyed by them!
Take the quiz -
A Green Quiz
How many questions can you answer about the word "green"?
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share agapetae
Resources for agapetae