# abbas

/əˈbɑs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abbas
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. abbot

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for an abbot, who is the leader of a group of monks.

For teachers: the superior or head of a monastery. This form is now obsolete in modern English, having been replaced by 'abbot'.

- The old stories speak of an abbas who ruled the monastery with kindness.
- In the medieval manuscript, the abbas was depicted presiding over the monks during their evening prayers.

Usage: Used primarily in historical or ecclesiastical contexts to refer to the head of a religious house.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic; learners should use 'abbot' in all modern contexts unless translating historical Latin texts.

### 2. Arabic name

noun · CEFR B1

a common male first name or family name in Arabic-speaking cultures.

For teachers: a common Arabic masculine given name or surname, meaning 'lion' or 'stern'.

- My friend Abbas is coming over to help me with my homework.
- The works of Mahmoud Abbas have been widely discussed in contemporary political science journals.

Usage: Capitalized as a proper noun.

Teaching tip: While the religious title is archaic, the name is very common globally today.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.