celibate

[sel-uh-bit, -beyt] /ˈsɛl ə bɪt, -ˌbeɪt/
noun
1.
a person who abstains from sexual relations.
2.
a person who remains unmarried, especially for religious reasons.
adjective
3.
observing or pertaining to sexual abstention or a religious vow not to marry.
4.
not married.
Origin
1605-15; < Latin caelib- (stem of caelebs) unmarried + -ate1
Related forms
noncelibate, adjective
uncelibate, adjective
Can be confused
celebrate, celibate, cerebrate.
celibate, chased, chaste, chest.
British Dictionary definitions for celibate

celibate

/ˈsɛlɪbɪt/
noun
1.
a person who is unmarried, esp one who has taken a religious vow of chastity
adjective
2.
unmarried, esp by vow
3.
abstaining from sexual intercourse
Derived Forms
celibacy, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin caelibātus, from caelebs unmarried, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for celibate
n.

1610s, "state of celibacy" (especially as mandated to clergy in the Catholic church) from French célibat (16c.), from Latin caelibatus (see celibacy). This was the only sense until earl 19c. The adjective meaning "unmarried, sworn to remain single" is recorded from 1825. As a noun, one who is sworn to such a condition, from 1838.