Ben`e*dic"tine (&?;), a. Pertaining to the monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet.

Ben`e*dic"tine, n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a famous order of monks, established by St. Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century. This order was introduced into the United States in 1846.

&fist; The Benedictines wear black clothing, and are sometimes called Black Monks. The name Black Fr&?;&?;&?;&?;rs which belongs to the Dominicans, is also sometimes applied to the Benedictines.