abbé

[ a-bey, ab-ey; French a-bey ]

noun

, plural ab·bés [a-, beyz, ab, -eyz, a, -, bey].

1. (especially in France)
   1. a member of the secular clergy.
   2. a title of respect for any ecclesiastic or clergyman.

abbé

¹

/ abe; ˈæbeɪ /

noun

1. a French abbot
2. a title used in addressing any other French cleric, such as a priest

Abbe

²

/ ˈaːbə; ˈæbɪ /

noun

1. AbbeErnst18401905MGermanSCIENCE: physicist Ernst. 1840–1905, German physicist, noted for his work in optics and the microscope condenser known as the Abbe condenser

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbé¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from French, Middle French, from Late Latin abbāte(m), accusative of abbās abbot

Example Sentences

More abuse allegations have been made against Abbé Pierre, the late French Roman Catholic priest and campaigner who was long venerated as a modern-day saint.

From BBC

In July, the Emmaus anti-poverty charity which Abbé Pierre founded said it had heard allegations of sexual assault and harassment from seven women and it believed them.

From BBC

Emmaus has now decided to expunge Abbé Pierre from the organisation after 17 more women spoke out about having suffered abuse at his hands.

From BBC

Now, following a second release of witness statements gathered by Egaé, an independent consultancy, the movement has decided to remove Abbé Pierre’s name from its various organisations.

From BBC

The Abbé Pierre Foundation is to be retitled, while the board of Emmaus France is to vote on removing the priest’s name from its logo.

From BBC

Related Words

• minister