Definition of Abbess

1. Noun. The superior of a group of nuns.

Exact synonyms: Mother Superior, Prioress
Specialized synonyms: Mother
Generic synonyms: Superior
Specialized synonyms: Bride, Bridget, Brigid, Saint Bride, Saint Bridget, Saint Brigid, St. Bride, St. Bridget, St. Brigid, Heloise
Derivative terms: Abbatial

Definition of Abbess

1. n. A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey.

Definition of Abbess

1. Noun. A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Abbess

1. the female superior of a convent of nuns [n -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Abbess

abb wools
abba
abbacies
abbacination
abbacy
abbas
abbaser
abbasis
abbatess
abbatesss
abbatial
abbatical
abbaye
abbe
abbes
abbess (current term)
abbesses
abbetdin
abbethdin
abbethdins
abbey-lubber
abbey-lubbers
abbeylike
abbeys
abbeysteads
abbeystede
abbeystedes
abbokinase
abbot

Literary usage of Abbess

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Select Memoirs of Port Royal: To which are Appended Tour to Alet, Visit to ...by Mary Anne Galton Schimmelpenninck by Mary Anne Galton Schimmelpenninck (1858)
"... were thousand livres cardinal richelieu nuns were her monastery new superior lady abbess jesuits had reigned within solely occupied all france spiritual ..."

2. The Abbatial Crosier: Or, Bonaik and Septimine, a Tale of a Medieval Abbessby Eugène Sue by Eugène Sue (1908)
"... abbess "The eighth of the series of Eugene Sue's historic novels known collectively under the title 'The mysteries of the people; or, ..."

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