What does "abbess" mean?

1. (head of a convent) the woman in charge of a convent or a group of nuns.

abbess

UK //ˈæbɛs// abbess

1 head of a convent (n.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Religion

the woman in charge of a convent or a group of nuns.

the female superior of an abbey or convent, exercising spiritual and administrative authority over the community.

Example

The abbess met with the local bishop to discuss the convent's repairs.

Example

As the newly elected abbess, she was responsible for both the spiritual welfare of the sisters and the management of the abbey's extensive lands.
- superior
- mother superior
- abbot

Origin

From Middle English abbesse, from Old French abeesse (French abbesse), from Late Latin or Ecclesiastical Latin abbatissa, feminine of Latin abbas, abbatis (“abbot”).