Crossword Genius

Nearer to keeping it slightly apart from the monastic life (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cloister

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'monastic life' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cloister that I've seen before include "Covered pillared arcade" , "sacred enclosure?" , "Monastery's arcaded walk" , "Covered walkway around courtyard" , "Covered walk round quadrangle" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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