1
: of or relating to St. Bernard of Clairvaux
2
: of or relating to the branch of the Cistercian order instituted by St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernardine

2 of 2

noun

plural -s
: a nun of one of several non-Cistercian congregations following a rule modeled on the original Cistercian observance

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French bernardin, from St. Bernard of Clairvaux †1153 French ecclesiastic + French -in -ine

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Cite this Entry

“Bernardine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bernardine. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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