ermos

Ermos, or erēmos in Greek, is a term meaning desert, wilderness, or solitude. In English-language scholarship it is often transliterated as eremos or ermos, reflecting its Greek spelling έρημος or έρημος. The word denotes barren or remote land and appears in classical Greek literature, ecclesiastical writings, and biblical translations to describe deserts, remote places, or places of withdrawal.

The term is the linguistic ancestor of several English words related to solitude and withdrawal. In particular, it is the origin of the Latin eremus and the English words hermit and eremitic, which describe a person or life chosen for seclusion in a desert or secluded place. In Greek usage, érēmos can refer both to a physical desert or wilderness and to the spiritual or moral sense of solitude.

In modern contexts, erēmos or eremos can be encountered in studies of ancient geography, monastic history, and religious literature. It also appears in toponymy and scholarly discussions about desert regions described in classical texts. While not a common everyday term in contemporary Greek outside of literary or academic contexts, its influence persists in terms related to hermitage and eremitic traditions. See also hermit, eremitism, and desert in literature for related concepts.