Celestines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A branch of the Benedictine monastic order, focused on asceticism and contemplation
2. A historical group known for their strict adherence to monastic rules and emphasis on spiritual life
3. Followers of a specific religious community that influenced medieval Christianity through their practices and beliefs

Etymology: The Celestines take their name from Pope Celestine V, though the connection is less direct than it sounds. The word "celestine" traces back through Old French "celestin" to Latin "caelestinus", meaning "heavenly", built from "caelestis" (heavenly) with the adjective-forming suffix "-inus". Its root "caelum" meant "sky" or "heaven", the same ground that gives English words like "celestial". The religious sense came from a monastic order founded in the thirteenth century in Italy by Pietro del Morrone, who later became Pope Celestine V. Members of the order took the name, and so "celestines" came to mean the monks themselves. The word also gave its name to a mineral, celestine, whose pale blue crystals were noticed for their sky-like colour.