a. and sb. Earlier forms were Charthous, Chartous, Cartusier. [ad. L. Cartusiān-us, Cartusiensis, ‘from the Catursiani montes, or from Catorissium, Caturissium, Chatrousse, a village in Dauphiné, near which their first monastery was founded’ (Littré). In F. chartreux, OF. charteus, -ous.
Most English dictionaries erroneously explain their name from la Grande-Chartreuse, their chief convent, near Grenoble; but this is really named after the order: see CHARTER-HOUSE.]
1. a. adj. Of or belonging to an order of monks founded in Dauphiné, by St. Bruno, in the year 1086, remarkable for the severity of their rule. b. sb. A monk of this order.
c. 1394. P. Pl. Crede, 674. Monkes ne preistes, Chanons ne Charthous þat in chirche serueth.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 26 b. The order of the cartusiensys.
1536. Bellenden, Cron. Scot. (1821), II. 299. He … deit a chartour [? -ous] monk.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M., II. 375. The house of the Carthusian monks.
1605. Stow, Ann., 559. The religion of the Cartusiers.
1633. Massinger, Guardian, III. i. Live, like a Carthusian, on poor-John.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxv. In the Carthusian convent.
1847. Sir J. Stephen, Eccl. Biog. (1850), 113. The Carthusians with their self-immolations.
2. a. adj. Of the ‘Charterhouse’ School, founded on the site of a Carthusian monastery in London. b. sb. A scholar of the Charterhouse School.
1860. All Y. Round, No. 66. 367. There is plenty of space for the Carthusians to play in.
1864. Blackw. Mag., XCVI. 449 (Hoppe). Carthusians regard their old school with loyalty and gratitude.
