Cloistral for Dummies

Cloistral is an interesting word that can mean a few different things, but don't worry, I'm here to help you understand it. Imagine you are standing in a big, open field with the warm sun shining down on you, and suddenly, you find yourself inside a quiet and peaceful church. That feeling of being in that calm and secluded space is similar to what the word "cloistral" describes.

When we say something is "cloistral," we are talking about something that is secluded or enclosed, like a cloister. Now, you might be wondering what a cloister is. Well, a cloister is a covered walkway that surrounds a central courtyard, often found in religious buildings like monasteries or convents. It's a place where people can go for quiet contemplation or reflection away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

So, when we use the word "cloistral" to describe something, we are saying that it has qualities similar to being in a cloister. Just like the cloister provides a peaceful and sheltered space away from the outside noise, something "cloistral" refers to an environment or a feeling that is secluded, peaceful, and removed from the distractions of the world.

For example, imagine you are in a beautiful garden surrounded by tall trees and flowers. It's a quiet and serene place where you can escape the noise of the city and find tranquility. In this case, we could say that the garden has a "cloistral" atmosphere, meaning it gives you the same peaceful feeling as being in a cloister.

Now, there's another way we can use the word "cloistral." Sometimes, people use it to describe something that is narrow-minded or restricted in its thinking. It's like they are saying that the person or thing is too focused on one particular way of doing things and closed off to new ideas.

Think about a person who refuses to try new foods because they already have their favorite dish and don't want to explore other flavors. We could say that their food choices are "cloistral" because they are limited and not open to trying new things.

So, to sum it all up, "cloistral" means secluded or enclosed, like being inside a quiet church or surrounded by the peacefulness of a cloister. It can also refer to something or someone that is narrow-minded and not open to new ideas. It's a word that helps us describe a specific feeling or environment that might be serene and removed from the outside world, or it can highlight a limitation in thinking. Just remember, like a cloister provides a calm haven, the word "cloistral" describes that same feeling of being sheltered from the noise and distractions of the world.