abbess
n.
woman who is the superior of a convent, woman who is in charge of a convent
abbot
n.
head of a monastery
Abbess
An abbess (
Latin abbatissa, fem. form of abbas,
abbot) is the female
superior, or
Mother Superior, of an
abbey of
nuns.In Roman Catholic and Anglican abbeys, the mode of election, position, rights, and authority of an abbess correspond generally with those of an
abbot. The office is elective, the choice being by the secret votes of the sisters from their own body. Like the abbot, the abbess is solemnly admitted to her office by formal blessing, conferred by the bishop in whose territory the monastery is or by an abbot or another
bishop with his permission. Unlike the abbot, she receives only the ring and a copy of the rule of the order: the abbess does not receive the
mitre, and she is not given a
crosier as part of the blessing ceremony though, by ancient tradition, she may carry one when leading her sisters. She also traditionally adds a
pectoral cross to her habit as a symbol of office.
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abbess
Noun
1. the superior of a group of nuns
(synonym) mother superior, prioress
(hypernym) superior
(hyponym) Bridget, Saint Bridget, St. Bridget, Brigid, Saint Brigid, St. Brigid, Bride, Saint Bride, St. Bride
Abbess
(n.)
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. See Abbey.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter.
About
Abbess
For a young woman to dream that she sees an abbess, denotes that she will be compelled to perform distasteful tasks, and will submit to authority only after unsuccessful rebellion.
To dream of an abbess smiling and benignant, denotes you will be surrounded by true friends and pleasing prospects.
Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or "What's in a dream": a scientific and practical exposition; By Gustavus Hindman, 1910. For the open domain e-text see:
Guttenberg Project