Definition of ABBESS

abbess

Plural: abbesses

Noun

  • The female superior of a community of nuns.
  • the superior of a group of nuns
  • A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks.
  • A woman who runs a brothel; a woman employed by a prostitute to find clients.

Examples

  • She governed the game like an abbess, with strategic and thoughtful plays.
  • The abbess was always after the nuns to keep the convent immaculately clean.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

mother superior, prioress, Covent Garden abbess, bawd, lady abbess, madam

Scrabble Score: 10

abbess: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
abbess: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
abbess: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

abbess: valid Words With Friends Word