monking

English

Etymology 1

From monk +‎ -ing.

Noun

monking (uncountable)

1. The work or life of a monk.
   • 2012, Clifford D. Simak, Shakespeare's Planet, →ISBN:

     He had chosen monking as an occupation (not a calling ,but an occupation) because he feared not only death, but even life itself, thinking that it might be easy work which would provide him shelter against the world he feared.

Adjective

monking (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Monkish.
   • 1849, François Rabelais, Jacob Le Duchat, John Ozell, The Works of Francis Rabelais - Volume 2, page 233:

     This, said Epistemon, is spoke like a true monk : I mean like a right monking monk, not a bemonked monastical monkling.

   • May 31, 1834, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Table Talk

     The old coenobitic establishments of England were converted—perverted, rather—into monasteries and other monking receptacles.

   • 1967, Marcel Tetel, Twayne's world authors series, page 41:

     In brief, ere was a true monk if there ever was one since the monking world started monkeying in monkeries.

Etymology 2

Verb

monking

1. present participle and gerund of monk