'anchoritess' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'anchorita', where 'ancho-' meant 'to withdraw' and '-ita' denoted a person, with the feminine suffix '-ess' added in English to indicate a female.

'anchorita' transformed into the Old French 'anchoresse', and eventually became the modern English word 'anchoritess'.

Initially, it meant 'a woman living in religious seclusion', and this meaning has remained unchanged in modern usage.