Abbess

Quick meaning: Abbess is a noun meaning 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.

Meaning

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.

More Meanings

1. (archaic, British slang) A woman who runs a brothel; a woman employed by a prostitute to find clients.

Example Sentences

The abbess was always after the nuns to keep the convent immaculately clean.

So an old Abbess for the rattling Rakes, / A tempting dish of human nature makes, / And dresses up a luscious Maid: / I rather should have said, indeed, undresses, / To please a youth's unsanctified caresses.

Why laſt night, as Colonel Kill'em, Sir William Weezy, Lord Frederick Foretop, and I were careleſsly ſliding the Ranelagh round, picking our teeth, after a damn'd muzzy dinner at Boodle's, who ſhould trip by but an abbeſs, well known about town, with a ſmart little nun in her ſuite.

Word Forms

• abbesses
• abbatess
• abbotess

Synonyms for abbess

Depending on context, synonyms include madam, prioress.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include prioress, mother, domina, vicaress, deaconess, fratress.

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