minster

See also: Minster

English

Etymology

From Middle English menstre (see mynisterie), from Old English mynster, from Latin monastērium (monastery), from Ancient Greek μοναστήριον (monastḗrion, monastery; solitary dwelling). Doublet of monastery.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmɪnstə/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈmɪnstɚ/
  • Hyphenation: min‧ster

Noun

minster (plural minsters)

  1. A monastic church.
    • 2014 July 20, Jane Gardam, “Give us a bishop in high heels [print version: “Give us a high-heeled bishop”, International New York Times, 22 July 2014, page 11]”, in The New York Times[1], archived from the original on 21 July 2014:
      [F]urther south in Kent, there was St. Mildred, whose mother, in 670, founded the minster that still stands there in good nick, with nine nuns who are an ever-present help in trouble to all religions and none.
  2. A cathedral church without any monastic connection.

Usage notes

Not to be confused with minister.

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