Small monastery or nunnery dependent on a larger house. Cells originated with the Benedictine Order and were commonly built on property belonging to the mother-house. Originally they were under the jurisdiction of provosts or deans, subject to removal by the superior of the main house. The inhabitants of these cells were obliged to contribute annually a definite amount of their incomes to the monastery to which they belonged and to appear personally on certain occasions. Cell also signifies the individual chamber or hut of a nun, monk, or hermit.