different between abbess vs archabbot

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

Etymology

arch- +? abbot

Noun

archabbot (plural archabbots)

1. (ecclesiastical) In certain Catholic (notably Benedictine) congregations, the title of the general superior, ranking above all other abbots, vested in a particular abbey, which hence is called an archabbey (usually its motherhouse, such as Beuron, which gave its name to a Benedictine congregation).

Translations

See also

• abbess
• abbey
• abbot
• monastery
• prelate