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

Maria sings "My Favorite Things" in the abbey to Mother Abbess, not to the children.

From The Daily Beast

Heloise, abbess of the Paraclete, died; celebrated as the mistress of Abelard, and for her learning.

From Project Gutenberg

The portrait of an abbess is to be seen in the left-hand corner; above is a row of ten figures—saints, bishops, and holy women.

From Project Gutenberg

Bishop Fox in his injunctions in 1507 forbade sundry priests to hold any communication with the abbess or with any of the nuns.

From Project Gutenberg

A true mother in God the abbess proved, and a dutiful and loving daughter was Æthelflæd.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the abbess was forbidden to take into the convent more than a certain number of nuns.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bishop