different between abbess vs abbatial

English

Alternative forms

• abbatess, abbotess (obsolete)

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?æb.?s/, /?æb.?s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?æb.?s/, /?æb.?s/

Noun

abbess (plural abbesses)

1. 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. [First attested around 1150 to 1350]

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

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

Synonyms

• (female superior of a nunnery): mother superior
• (woman who runs a brothel): bawd, Covent Garden abbess, lady abbess, madam

Related terms

• abbey
• abbot

Translations

References

English

Alternative forms

• abbatical

Etymology

From Middle English abbacyal, from Middle French abbatial, from Late Latin abbatialis, from abbatia (“abbey”) + -ialis (“-ial”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /??be?.?l?/, /?æ?be?.?l?/
• Rhymes: -e???l

Adjective

abbatial (comparative more abbatial, superlative most abbatial)

1. Belonging to, relating to, or pertaining to an abbey, abbot, or abbess. [Late 17^th century.]

Translations

References

French

Etymology

From Late Latin abb?ti?lis (“abbatial”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.ba.sjal/

Adjective

abbatial (feminine singular abbatiale, masculine plural abbatiaux, feminine plural abbatiales)

1. abbatial

Derived terms

• abbatiale

Noun

abbatial m (plural abbatiaux)

1. The quarters of the abbot and monks within an abbey.

Further reading

• “abbatial” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).