ABBESS

abbess, mother superior, prioress

(noun) the superior of a group of nuns

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

abbess (plural abbesses)

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. [First attested around 1150 to 1350]

(archaic, British slang) A woman who runs a brothel; a woman employed by a prostitute to find clients.

Synonyms

• (female superior of a nunnery): mother superior

• (woman who runs a brothel): bawd, Covent Garden abbess, lady abbess, madam

Source: Wiktionary


Ab"bess, n. Etym: [OF.abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

29 March 2024

FAULTFINDING

(adjective) tending to make moral judgments or judgments based on personal opinions; “a counselor tries not to be faultfinding”


Do you know this game?

Wordscapes

Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins