The Collaborative International Dictionary
Culdee \Cul*dee"\ (k?l-d?" or k?l"d?), n. [ Prob. fr. Gael.cuilteach; cf. Ir. ceilede.] One of a class of anchorites who lived in various parts of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
The pure Culdees
Were Albyn's earliest priests of God.
--Campbell.
[1913 Webster] ||
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
mid-12c., from Old Irish céle de "anchorite," from cele "associate, companion," sometimes "servant" (compare ceilidh) + de "of God." Perhaps an attempt to translate Servus Dei or some other Latin term for "religious hermit."
Wiktionary
n. One of a class of anchorites who lived in various parts of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Usage examples of "culdee".
These druids of yours are beginning to sound suspiciously like the Culdee of ours.
She sank to her knees next to a culdee who was removing blood-swollen leeches from the wheezing chest of a young girl, about twelve years old, who moaned deliriously from her weakened condition.
I found accounts of the Synod of Whitby that ousted the Culdee or Irish version of Christianity.
In one rash moment I wrote to Fiona and asked that she send the copies I had made of the Synod of Whitby, references to the Knights Templar, and the Culdee Church.
Scotland, the ancient Culdee church founded by Columba and his followers, far removed from direct papal influence, was still keeping the seventh-day Sabbath in the eleventh century.
The ancient tradition of hospitality of the Culdee mystics, whose ruined monasteries ringed this lough, was reborn in the new orders and communities.
The Celi Dei, or Culdees as they were commonly called, lived a life of austerity, disciplining their bodies to increase the glory of the soul.
Although the Culdees possessed no treasure, the Viking raiders could never believe it.
Now that their dismay was over, the Culdees surrounded the strangers with smiling faces.
The Culdees burned seal or whale oil and used wicks made of white-headed cotton grass, which grew profusely everywhere.
They were well liked and the Culdees considered them, except for their alien faith, as valuable members of the community and would have been glad to have them stay.
It was echoing lines he had heard Flann read to Thyra from the tattered book of the Culdees, when he was instructing her in his faith.
Father Bernard walked with them by the pallets, explaining the condition of the patients, often introducing them to the culdees who worked tirelessly with the sick.
Viking man in Jorvik who might be willing to till the fields for them come spring, a reminder to get the money Ella owed her, a warning to be careful of the roaming Saxon soldiers, advice on how to handle the wily culdees at the minster.
Thomas, the Templar Documents, and the study of the Irish Culdees that I had found in the lair.