First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1recluse
adjective re·cluse \ˈre-ˌklüs, ri-ˈklüs, ˈre-ˌklüz\
Definition of RECLUSE
: marked by withdrawal from society : solitary
— re·clu·sive \ri-ˈklü-siv, -ziv\ adjective
— re·clu·sive·ly adverb
— re·clu·sive·ness noun
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of RECLUSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French reclus, literally, shut away, from Late Latin reclusus, past participle of recludere to shut up, from Latin re- + claudere to close — more at close
Rhymes with RECLUSE
Aarhus, abstruse, abuse, adduce, Atreus, blue spruce, burnoose, caboose, Cayuse, Cepheus, ceruse, charmeuse, chartreuse, Chartreuse, conduce, couscous, cut loose, deduce, diffuse, disuse, educe, effuse, excuse, fair use, footloose, hang loose, induce, Lanús, misuse, mongoose, Morpheus, negus, obtuse, Orpheus, papoose, Peleus, Perseus, prepuce, produce, profuse, Proteus, Purus, red spruce, reduce, refuse, retuse, reuse, Sanctus, seduce, slip noose, snow goose, Tereus, Theseus, traduce, transduce, turn loose, unloose, vamoose
2recluse
noun
: a person who lives alone and avoids other people
Full Definition of RECLUSE
: a person who leads a secluded or solitary life
See recluse defined for English-language learners
See recluse defined for kids
First Known Use of RECLUSE
13th century
Learn More About RECLUSE
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up recluse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).