TONSURES
Noun
tonsures
plural of tonsure
Source: Wiktionary
TONSURE
Ton"sure, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. tonsura a shearing, clipping, from
tondere, tonsum, to shear, shave; cf. Gr. tome.]
1. The act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the crown of the head;
also, the state of being shorn.
2. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) The first ceremony used for devoting a person to the service of
God and the church; the first degree of the clericate, given by a
bishop, abbot, or cardinal priest, consisting in cutting off the hair
from a circular space at the back of the head, with prayers and
benedictions; hence, entrance or admission into minor orders.
(b) The shaven corona, or crown, which priests wear as a mark of
their order and of their rank.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition