abbess

[ ab-is ]

noun

1. a woman who is the superior of a convent of nuns.

abbess

/ ˈæbɪs /

noun

1. the female superior of a convent

Gender Note

What's the difference between abbess and abbot? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbess¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English abbesse from Old French abbesse, abaesse from Late Latin abbātissa, feminine of abbās abbot; replacing Middle English abbatisse from Late Latin; in turn replacing Old English abadisse, abbodesse (compare Old High German abbatissa ) from unattested Late Latin ab(b)adissa for abbātissa

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbess¹

C13: from Old French, from Church Latin abbātissa

Example Sentences

“The No. 1 purpose of the farm is to foster circles of community,” said Heath, who serves as the community “abbess,” traditionally the female superior in a community of nuns, but here the pastoral leader.

From Seattle Times

Its first exhibition, An Idea of a Life, looks at the history of the abbesses and nuns who lived in Barking Abbey from the 7th Century to the early 16th Century.

From BBC

“It’s not the purpose of our life, lest we break the equilibrium - rather, it’s to turn work into prayer,” said the abbess, Almudena Vilariño.

From Washington Times

“It’s not the purpose of our life, lest we break the equilibrium — rather, it’s to turn work into prayer,” said the abbess, Almudena Vilariño.

From Seattle Times

“The Dodgers capitulated in response to hateful and misleading information from people outside their community,” Sister Rosie Partridge, president and an abbess of the San Francisco Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bishop