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abbess

ab·bess | \ ˈa-bəs

How to pronounce abbess (audio)

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Definition of abbess

: a woman who is the superior of a convent of nuns

Examples of abbess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The discovery of a document detailing the occult activities of an old abbess suddenly launches us on a grail quest. — Merve Emre, The New Yorker, "How Leonora Carrington Feminized Surrealism," 21 Dec. 2020 Naturopathic medicine in Germany began with Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine abbess who purportedly used tinctures, herbs, and crystals on villagers in need of healing. — Rose Truesdale, Bon Appétit, "Burning Out on America...and My “Perfect” Wellness Routine," 25 Aug. 2020 Schroeder, the farm’s abiding abbess, is a native San Franciscan who witnessed the tragedy and uncertainty of the AIDS epidemic a generation ago. — Kitty Morgan, SFChronicle.com, "In coronavirus pandemic’s limbo, the only thing certain is more uncertainty," 19 Apr. 2020 Einhorn, who did extensive research on Joan’s life including visiting historical sites in France, chose texts from another medieval composer, the abbess Hildegard of Bingen, and other female mystics, as well as Joan’s own words from her trial. — OregonLive.com, "Joan of Arc's story gains a new dimension in film/concert pairing," 21 Jan. 2018 Einhorn, who did extensive research on Joan’s life including visiting historical sites in France, chose texts from another medieval composer, the abbess Hildegard of Bingen, and other female mystics, as well as Joan’s own words from her trial. — OregonLive.com, "Joan of Arc's story gains a new dimension in film/concert pairing," 21 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abbess.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

29 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Abbess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbess. Accessed 11 Jan. 2021.

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