Definition of "laura"

laura

/ˈlɔɹə/

noun
plural lauras or laurae
1. (historical, Roman Catholicism) A number of hermitages or cells in the same neighborhood occupied by anchorites who were under the same superior
  Quotations
  The solitaries of the Thebaid found that they became selfish wild beasts, or went mad, if they remained alone; and they formed themselves into lauras, 'lanes' of huts, convents, under a common abbot or father.
  1864, Charles Kingsley, Lecture IX: The Monk a Civilizer: The Roman and the Teuton: A Series of Lectures Delivered Before the University of Cambridge, page 240
2. (historical, Eastern Orthodox Church) A cluster of cells or caves for hermits, with a church and sometimes a refectory at the centre.
  Quotations
  There were the cenobia, or monasteries proper, where the life was according to the lines laid down by St Basil; and there were the lauras, wherein a semi-eremitical life was followed, the monks living in separate huts within the enclosure.
  1966, E. C. Butler, “Chapter XVIII: Monasticism”, in H. M. Gwatkin, J. P. Whitney, editors, The Cambridge Medieval History, volume 1, page 529