Word
priory
Phoneticspri·o·ry
US/ˈpɹaɪɝi/
UK/pɹˈaɪəɹˌi/
Definition
n. a religious house where monks or nuns live and work. It is similar to an abbey but is led by a prior or prioress instead of an abbot.
n. a monastery or nunnery governed by a prior or prioress. Often subordinate to an abbey, though some function as independent religious houses.
Examples
“The ruins of the old priory stand near the river.”
“Local historians are working to preserve the medieval priory, which served as a center for the community for centuries.”
“The architectural transition from the austere chapel to the more ornate living quarters of the priory reflects the shifting wealth of the order during the fourteenth century.”
Examples
simple
“The ruins of the old priory stand near the river.”
contextual
“Local historians are working to preserve the medieval priory, which served as a center for the community for centuries.”
complex
“The architectural transition from the austere chapel to the more ornate living quarters of the priory reflects the shifting wealth of the order during the fourteenth century.”
Usage
Often used as a proper noun when naming a specific historical site.
Real-World Examples
“Gage's house, Firle Place, was even built with stones removed from the nearby Lewes Priory following its surrender to the Crown in 1537.” Etymology
From Anglo-Norman priorie.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.