Member of a Roman Catholic order of monks and nuns, renowned for the strictness of their rule, which includes the maintenance of silence, manual labor, and a vegetarian diet. The order was founded 1664 at La Trappe, in Normandy, France, by Armand de Rancé (1626–1700) as a reformed version of the Cistercian order.
In 1792 the monks were expelled (during the French Revolution) but the community remained together until it could return in 1817.
Member of an order of monks noted for austerity and a vow of silence; Also called: Cistercian.