a. Pertaining to the monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Eccl. Hist.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The Benedictines wear black clothing, and are sometimes called Black Monks. The name Black Fr&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;rs which belongs to the Dominicans, is also sometimes applied to the Benedictines. [ 1913 Webster ]