Benedictine

Ben`e*dic"tine, a.

Defn: Pertaining to the monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet.

Ben`e*dic"tine, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One of a famous order of monks, established by St. Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century. This order was introduced into the United States in 1846.

Note: The Benedictines wear black clothing, and are sometimes called Black Monks. The name Black Fr which belongs to the Dominicans, is also sometimes applied to the Benedictines.