abbey

¹

[ ab-ee ]

noun

, plural ab·beys.

1. a monastery under the supervision of an abbot or a convent under the supervision of an abbess.
2. the group of buildings comprising such a monastery or convent.
3. the church of an abbey.

Abbey

²

[ ab-ee ]

noun

1. Edward, 1927–89, U.S. novelist and nature writer.
2. Edwin Austin, 1852–1911, U.S. painter and illustrator.
3. a female given name, form of Abigail.

abbey

/ ˈæbɪ /

noun

1. a building inhabited by a community of monks or nuns governed by an abbot or abbess
2. a church built in conjunction with such a building
3. such a community of monks or nuns

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbey¹

1200–50; Middle English abbey ( e ) < Old French abeie < Late Latin abbātia abbacy

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbey¹

C13: via Old French abeie from Church Latin abbātia abbacy

Example Sentences

Northanger Abbey’s superlative, per Vox’s Constance Grady, is Jane Austen’s funniest novel.

From Vox

When the roommates enter some sticky territory regarding hookups, particularly Kamari and Abbey, they handle their miscommunications and discomfort with a level of grace and maturity you don’t even see on reality shows depicting fortysomethings.

From The Daily Beast

Remodeled over centuries, the abbey melds architectural styles but exudes harmony and calm.

From Washington Post

The queen is sending Marie—an ungainly girl with large bones, and an illegitimate Plantagenet child to boot—to a far-off and troubled abbey, where Marie will become prioress.

From Time

They display art and artifacts long in storage, set in a modern museum high above the Abbey nave.

From Washington Post

The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed BritainBy Tim Teeman Lady Grantham of ‘Downton Abbey’ is far from an anomaly.

From The Daily Beast

When ‘Downton Abbey’ returns Sunday night, its fashion fans are in for a familiar treat.

From The Daily Beast

It is the most animated this Downton Abbey fan has ever seen Lady Grantham.

From The Daily Beast

SURPRISES Downton Abbey You've got to be kidding me with this one.

From The Daily Beast

That's fine and well, until you see that Downton Abbey was nominated again.

From The Daily Beast

Cecilia says they were all talking of it at Maundrell Abbey, where of course it is a peculiarly interesting topic.

From Project Gutenberg

Musical festival in Westminster abbey, in commemoration of the birthday of Handel.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon the Prince went to Westminster Abbey and conferred knighthood upon his companions.

From Project Gutenberg

The abbey gate still stands as a massive archway at one end of the river bridge.

From Project Gutenberg

The dale gradually opens into a beautiful valley and here the old abbey is charmingly situated on the banks of the river.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nunnery