ABBEY

abbey

(noun) a monastery ruled by an abbot

abbey

(noun) a convent ruled by an abbess

abbey

(noun) a church associated with a monastery or convent

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

abbey (plural abbeys)

The office or dominion of an abbot or abbess. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]

A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy, which is headed by an abbot or abbess; also, the monastic building or buildings. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]

The church of a monastery. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]

(British English) A residence that was previously an abbatial building.[Mid 16^th century.]

Anagrams

• bebay

Proper noun

Abbey

A diminutive of the female given name Abigail from Hebrew.

A diminutive of the male given name Albert from Germanic languages.

A British surname.

(London) Westminster Abbey.

(Scotland) The precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood.

Synonyms

• (diminutive of Abigail): Abi

Anagrams

• bebay

Source: Wiktionary

Ab"bey, n.; pl. Abbeys. Etym: [OF. abaïe, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot. See Abbot.]

1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings.

Note: The men are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.

2. The church of a monastery.

Note: In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.

Syn.

– Monastery; convent; nunnery; priory; cloister. See Cloister.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition