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cloister — a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a colonnade along one side

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a colonnade along one side

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈklɔɪstər/

Example Sentences

  • The cat somehow found its way into the monastery cloister and became the unofficial mascot.
  • Medieval cloisters were designed to provide a quiet space for contemplation and prayer.
  • The university's cloister reminded students of Harry Potter's Hogwarts.

cloister

NOUN

[/ˈklɔɪstər/]

a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a colonnade along one side

Monks walk silently through the cloister, hands folded, lost in prayer.
💡 Concept

Monks walk silently through the cloister, hands folded, lost in prayer.

CLOIS(close) + TER(place) — moving to a perfectly CLOIS(closed) TER(place) in the forest, the writer chose to cloister himself to finish the book.
🧠 Mnemonic

CLOIS(close) + TER(place) — moving to a perfectly CLOIS(closed) TER(place) in the forest, the writer chose to cloister himself to finish the book.

Just like a pearl hidden safely inside a hard oyster, the tired king left the throne to hide in a quiet cloister.
🎵 Rhyme

Just like a pearl hidden safely inside a hard oyster, the tired king left the throne to hide in a quiet cloister.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈklɔɪstər/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈklɔɪstə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Rootclaust
Suffix--er

Origin

From Old French 'cloistre', derived from Latin 'claustrum' meaning 'enclosed space' or 'lock', which comes from 'claudere' meaning 'to close' or 'to shut'.

Breakdown

Latin 'claudere' (to close/shut) + -strum (place/instrument suffix) = 'claustrum' (enclosed place) → Old French 'cloistre' → English 'cloister' (a closed or enclosed covered walkway)

🎵Rhyme

oyster
hoister
moister

🔗Collocations

peaceful cloister
cloister garden
monastic cloister
enter a cloister
cloister oneself
ancient cloister

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The cat somehow found its way into the monastery cloister and became the unofficial mascot.”

“Medieval cloisters were designed to provide a quiet space for contemplation and prayer.”

😄 Fun example

“The university's cloister reminded students of Harry Potter's Hogwarts.”

“She cloistered herself in the library during exam week.”

📚Related Words

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