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Definition of: Essene
(es′ēn) noun
One of an ascetic sect of Jews formed about the second century B.C.: their beliefs in voluntary poverty, community of property, celibacy, and a high degree of personal holiness influenced early Christianity. [<L Esseni the Essenes <Gk. Essēnoi]
—Es·se′ni·an, Es·sen·ic (e·sen′ik) adjective
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