reclusiveadj.
/rᵻˈkluːsɪv/, U.S. /rəˈklusɪv/, /rəˈkluzɪv/ 1. Characterized by seclusion from society or human interaction, esp. as part of a religious discipline.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [adjective]
reclusedc1443
quiet1507
withdrawing1576
secluse1597
reclusive1600
secluded1604
recluse1608
withdrawn?1615
sequestering1620
monastica1631
anchorite1639
solitousa1656
sequestered1658
snug1710
hermitish1812
anchoritish1823
umbratic1839
Garboesque1928
Garboic1937
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 244 You may conceale her..In some reclusiue and religious life, Out of all eies. View more context for this quotation
1661 R. Davenport City Night-cap iv. 45 You shall unto the Monasterie of Matrons, And spend your daies reclusive.
1769 W. Anderson Hist. France I. 392 It was forgot what many of them had been in their former more reclusive condition.
1789 Compan. Leasowes, Hagley & Enville 36 This gloomy path formerly led to a root house, concealed in a reclusive nook.
1819 J. Caulfield Portraits I. 8 He affected most of the singularities which naturally adhere to reclusive and habitual retirement.
1850 O. Winslow Inner Life 207 The gospel of Jesus is not reclusive or selfish.
1913 W. Winter Wallet of Time I. viii. 116 After that time the story of his life concerns itself with..his reclusive habits of living.
2. Disposed to prefer seclusion or isolation; that lives a life secluded from society or human intercourse; inclined towards seclusion. Also: (of an animal) shy; solitary.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [adjective] > retired or secluded (of person)
recluse?c1225
private1585
shadya1586
retired1590
umbraticala1637
sequestered1643
reclusive1749
umbratile1850
1749 R. Rolt Cambria ii. 37 Soon as the morn stream'd white With orient brightness, the reclusive sage stept forth.
1800 J. W. Chandler Sir Hubert 4 My muse Inscribes her gothic lays..Reclusive in her native woods, and all unknown to fame.
1873 Bucks County (Bristol, Pa.) 2 Oct. 4/3 These Essenes referred to, were noted as a reclusive, contemplative sect.
1906 L. J. Fosdick French Blood in Amer. 306 Many of his contemporaries thought him harsh and reclusive.
1931 D. G. Yeager Our Wilderness Neighbors 72 The moose is a reclusive animal, preferring the isolated swamps and lakes of the back country.
1969 H. Warner All our Yesterdays 11 For a person with reclusive tendencies, Lovecraft showed impressive stamina and gregariousness at..meetings.
2005 New Scientist 26 Mar. 12/2 Some [children] become shy and reclusive because of their difficulties in social situations.
Derivatives
reˈclusively adv. as a recluse; in the manner of a recluse.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [adverb]
in privity?c1225
in private1469
on private1582
monkishly1595
retiredly1599
recluse1612
reclusely1748
in seclusion1785
secludedly1837
en retraite1840
reclusively1845
upon the snug1861
to lie up1881
1845 R. Howitt Impressions Austral. Felix 89 Widely were we scattered, and reclusively settled down, to contend with the rugged elements of a new land in the solitude of the wilderness.
1963 Punch 13 Feb. 249/1 His life was spent uneventfully, reclusively almost.
1996 Daily Tel. 30 Dec. 3/2 Apart from a brief marriage to an actor, she remained single and now lives reclusively in the United States.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1600