[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

abbess \ab"bess\ a^b"be^s, 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.
   1913 webster
see also:
abbot abbey 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

abbess
     n : the superior of a group of nuns syn: mother superior, prioress
see also:
mother superior prioress 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

27 moby thesaurus words for "abbess":
   canoness, chatelaine, clergywoman, conventual, dame, dowager,
   first lady, goodwife, governess, great lady, homemaker, housewife,
   lady superior, madam, matriarch, matron, mistress, mother superior,
   novice, nun, postulant, prioress, religieuse, secular canoness,
   sister, superioress, the reverend mother

Abbess >> A Words
Abbess, definition of term: Abbess
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