canoness

[ kan-uh-nis ]

noun

1. a member of a Christian community of women living under a rule but not under a vow.

canoness

/ ˈkænənɪs /

noun

1. RC Church a woman belonging to any one of several religious orders and living under a rule but not under a vow

Gender Note

What's the difference between canoness and canon? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of canoness¹

First recorded in 1675–85; canon ² + -ess

Example Sentences

A dreadful silence reigned for four or five minutes, but the canoness began to utter witticisms which I took up and communicated to my neighbours, so that in a short time the whole table was in good spirits except the general, who preserved a sulky silence.

From Project Gutenberg

Dancing went on all night, and I did not leave my canoness, who was a delightful woman and danced admirably.

From Project Gutenberg

I was taken up with the canoness and did not stir, and consequently Kettler did not notice me, while the lady in great delight at seeing me left him no time to examine his guests, and he was soon talking to some people at the other end of the room.

From Project Gutenberg

After dinner the count gave me a letter of introduction to a canoness at Coblentz, of whom he spoke in very high terms.

From Project Gutenberg

That obliged me to stop at Coblentz; but when I got down at the inn, I found that the canoness was at Manheim, while in her stead I encountered an actress named Toscani, who was going to Stuttgart with her young and pretty daughter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sister