abbesses
/ˈæbɪsɪz/
NOUN
1. Female superiors of convents
Women who serve as the heads of convents or nunneries, exercising authority over the religious community and overseeing its spiritual and administrative affairs.
1.1. Leadership in convents and religious communities
Used to describe women who govern communities of nuns, guide their religious lives, and supervise the daily affairs of a convent or abbey.
Synonyms
- mother superiors
- Reverend Mothers
- lady superiors
- superioresses
Examples
- The convent flourished under the guidance of wise abbesses throughout the centuries.
- The ceremony honored the contributions of past and present abbesses to the community.
- Generations of nuns looked up to the experienced and compassionate abbesses for inspiration.
Related Words
NOUN
2. Women who manage brothels
In historical British slang, women who run brothels or are employed by prostitutes to find clients.
2.1. Brothel management and prostitution
Used in a historical slang sense for women who manage establishments providing prostitution services or arrange customers for prostitutes.
Synonyms
- brothel keepers
- madams
- procuresses
Examples
- The historical account described several abbesses who managed brothels in the city.
- The old text referred to abbesses who arranged clients for the women working under them.
Related Words
- brothels
- prostitution
- clients
- solicitation
- sex work