Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Monastery \Mon"as*te*ry\, n.; pl. {Monasteries}. [L.
   monasterium, Gr. ?, fr. ? a solitary, a monk, fr. ? to be
   alone, live in solitude, fr. ? alone. Cf. {Minister}.]
   A house of religious retirement, or of secusion from ordinary
   temporal concerns, especially for monks; -- more rarely
   applied to such a house for females.

   Syn: Convent; abbey; priory. See {Cloister}.