stylite

English

WOTD – 8 October 2011
Simeon Stylites, a stylite, is shown twice in this image.

Etymology

From Ecclesiastical Greek στυλίτης (stulítēs), from Ancient Greek στῦλος (stûlos, “pillar”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈstʌɪlʌɪt/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈstaɪlaɪt/
Audio (Northern California, US)(file)

Noun

stylite (plural stylites)

  1. (Christianity, historical) A Christian ascetic in ancient times who lived alone on top of a tall pillar.
    • 1997, John Julius Norwich, A Short History of Byzantium, Penguin 1998, p. 53:
      Daniel, the famous stylite of the city, actually descended from his pillar for the first time in fifteen years, terrifying Basiliscus into the withdrawal of his edict.
    • 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin 2010, p. 208:
      Stylites often became major players in Church politics, shouting down their theological pronouncements from their little elevated balconies to the expectant crowds below, or giving personalized advice to those favoured enough to climb the ladder and join them on their platform.

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Latin

Pronunciation

Noun

stȳlītē m

  1. ablative and vocative singular of stȳlītēs
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