The word “cloister” originally described a convent, monastery, or other religious location where dedicated religious servants secluded themselves from the world. This practice is still in play, although some nuns and monks are under what is called “active orders.” They leave the cloister because they are involved in a ministry or they work as a nurse or a teacher, for example. The word “cloister” is used more commonly today as a verb, meaning “to seclude or shut up as if in a convent or monastery.” Someone might say they are cloistering themselves away for the weekend to get some work done, suggesting they might turn off their devices and avoid distractions.