anchoress

noun

an·​cho·​ress ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rəs 

variants or ancress

ˈaŋ-krəs 

: a woman who is an anchorite

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ankeresse, from anker hermit, from Old English ancor, from Old Irish anchara, from Late Latin anachoreta

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above