Word
abbess
UK/ˈæbɛs/
Definition
n. the woman in charge of a convent or a group of nuns.
n. the female superior of an abbey or convent, exercising spiritual and administrative authority over the community.
Examples
“The abbess met with the local bishop to discuss the convent's repairs.”
“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.”
Examples
simple
“The abbess met with the local bishop to discuss the convent's repairs.”
complex
“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.”
Etymology
From Middle English abbesse, from Old French abeesse (French abbesse), from Late Latin or Ecclesiastical Latin abbatissa, feminine of Latin abbas, abbatis (“abbot”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.