ABBESS

AB'BESS, noun [from abba.]A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the Monks. [See Abbey.]

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abbess. Abbess, n. the governess of a nunnery

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Ab″bess (ăb″bĕs), n. [[OF. abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.]] 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.