athonite
|a-tho-nite|
/ˈæθənaɪt/
from Mount Athos / relating to Mount Athos
Etymology
'athonite' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Αθωνίτης' (Athonítēs), where the element 'Athon-' referred to 'Athos' (the mountain/region).
'Αθωνίτης' (Greek) passed into Medieval/Modern Latin as 'Athonites' or 'Athonita' and was adopted into English as 'athonite' to denote someone from or related to Mount Athos.
Initially it meant 'a person of Athos' (an inhabitant or monk of Mount Athos); over time it has retained that basic meaning and is used to describe both inhabitants/monks and things relating to Mount Athos.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a monk or inhabitant of Mount Athos, the monastic community in northeastern Greece; a member of the Eastern Orthodox monastic community there.
An athonite devotes much of each day to prayer and communal worship.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
of, relating to, or characteristic of Mount Athos, its monastic community, or its traditions.
The museum displayed several athonite icons and liturgical objects.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/11 12:54