English Explanatory Dictionary

abbess

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. 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.
  2. A woman who runs a brothel; a woman employed by a prostitute to find clients.

Pronunciation

/ˈæb.ɪs/ /ˈæb.ɛs/ en-us-abbess.ogg en-ca-abbess.ogg

Word forms

abbess abbesses abbatess abbotess

Etymology

From Middle English abbesse, from Old French abeesse (French abbesse), from Late Latin or Ecclesiastical Latin abbatissa, feminine of Latin abbas, abbatis (“abbot”).

Synonyms

mother superior bawd Covent Garden abbess lady abbess madam

Related words

abbey abbot
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