Definition

A woman who leads a group of nuns in a religious community.

Example

The abbess presided over the convent with wisdom and grace.

Conversation

Have you ever read about the role of an abbess?

Yeah, I think they lead convents, right?

Exactly! The abbess has such an important position in the community.

It’s fascinating how much responsibility they have.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Abbess → It is formed from "abbas" (from Latin, meaning father) and the suffix "-ess" (meaning a female). The word refers to a female leader of a convent, essentially a mother figure in a religious community.

Memory Tip

Think of 'abbas' meaning father, and remember that an abbess is a female leader, like a mother, in a convent.

Visually Confused Words