eremit

Eremit is an English term that denotes a hermit, especially in historical or theological contexts. In contemporary usage, the more common word is hermit; eremit and its related forms appear mainly in scholarly or hagiographic writing and are considered archaic or rare variants.

The term derives from Medieval Latin eremita, itself from Latin eremita, which in turn comes from Greek erēmītēs (ἑρημίτης), meaning a desert- or solitary-dweller. The root erēmos conveys the idea of desolation or solitude, reflecting the traditional setting of eremites who lived apart from mainstream society.

In historical and religious contexts, eremites are associated with the eremitic or solitary life—a form of Christian asceticism practiced by individuals who withdraw from communal life to devote themselves to prayer, contemplation, and penance. This contrasts with cenobitic monasticism, in which monks live in communities. Early Desert Fathers and Mothers in the Christian tradition are often cited as archetypal eremites, though the term can also apply to solitary spiritual practitioners in other cultures.

Related terms include eremitic and eremitism, which describe the solitary, hermitic lifestyle and its philosophical or religious aspects. The adjective eremitic is used to characterize things pertaining to hermits or hermitage, while eremite and its variants are generally found in historical, theological, or literary discussions. In modern English, hermit remains the standard term for a person who lives in seclusion, with eremit as a stylistic or scholarly alternative.