abbesses
n. C1 Advanced UK //ˈæbɛsɪz// abbess·es
n. women who are the leaders of a religious community for nuns. They are like the head of a convent.
n. female heads of a religious community, specifically a convent or abbey. Often used in historical or ecclesiastical contexts.
The abbesses managed the daily life of the convent.
Historical records show that several abbesses held significant political influence during the medieval period.
The transition from abbesses to more modern leadership structures marked a significant shift in the governance of religious institutions across Europe.