ETYM Old Fren. abaesse, abeesse, French abbesse, Latin abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. Related to Abbot.
(Irregular plural: abbesses).
The superior of a group of nuns; SYN. mother superior, prioress.
mother superior · prioress
1. Starešina ženskog manastira;
2. Katolička kaluđerica, duvna, redovnica. (lat.)