camaldolite

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A member of a nearly extinct fraternity of monks founded in the vale of Camaldoli in the Apennines, near Arezzo, in 1018, by St. Romuald, a Benedictine monk. They were hermits at first, but afterward they associated in convents. They were originally distinguished for their extreme asceticism, their rules in regard to fasting, silence, and penances being most severe. They wear white robes. Also called Camaldulian, Camaldolensian, Camaldolese, and Camaldule.