Religious wayfarer (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: PILGRIM (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Religious wayfarer" with 7 letters is "PILGRIM".Pilgrim refers to a religious traveler or wayfarer who journeys to a sacred place as an act of devotion or spiritual purpose. Such individuals often undertake long and challenging trips to holy sites seeking blessings, forgiveness, or a deeper connection with their faith.
Why “Pilgrim” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “religious wayfarer.” The answer, PILGRIM, fits perfectly:
- Religious wayfarer: Pilgrim refers to someone who travels to a holy place as an act of devotion, faith, or spiritual journey — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With seven letters, pilgrim fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word captures both physical and spiritual aspects of a person traveling for religious purposes, signifying faith and commitment.
The term pilgrim has ancient origins tied to religion, culture, and travel:
- Origin and usage: From Latin peregrinus (“traveller” or “foreigner”), the term came into Old French as pelgrin and Middle English as pilgrim. Initially, it denoted anyone journeying from home, but by the Middle Ages, it became primarily associated with religious journeys.
Religious context:
- In Christianity, pilgrims often travel to sites such as Jerusalem, Rome, or Santiago de Compostela.
- In Islam, pilgrims perform the Hajj to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
- Other faiths, including Hinduism and Buddhism, have their own long traditions of pilgrimage to sacred sites such as Varanasi or Bodh Gaya.
Cultural significance:
- Pilgrimages embody faith, penance, and reflection.
- The concept has extended metaphorically to describe anyone undertaking a meaningful journey or quest.
Examples:
- “Thousands of pilgrims walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain.”
- “The faithful pilgrim prayed at each shrine along the route.”
- “He felt like a pilgrim on a personal journey to find peace.”
In quick crosswords like “Religious wayfarer (7),” the clue is a classic example of a direct definition:
- Definition clue: The entire clue defines one specific category clearly: a traveller motivated by religion.
- Clue type: Straightforward vocabulary clue — no secondary wordplay or deception.
- Solving pattern:
- The word wayfarer indicates a traveller or wanderer.
- When coupled with religious, it leads directly to pilgrim.
- Common mistake: Solvers might briefly consider synonyms for traveller (like nomad or wanderer), but the addition of “religious” narrows the answer specifically to pilgrim.
