Originally: a religious group observing a common rule. Also: spec. the Franciscan Observants; (rarely) an Observant friary. Now chiefly historical.

Monks collectively. Also: the monks of a particular place. Obsolete.

Buddhism and Jainism. With the. The monastic community, including monks, nuns, and novices; (also) the community of believers or adherents at large.

The state, condition, or profession of a monk; monasticism, monastic life; monks collectively. Also in extended use. Cf. monkhood, n.