abbess

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
abbess
    n 1: the superior of a group of nuns [syn: {abbess}, {mother
         superior}, {prioress}]
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Abbess \Ab"bess\ ([a^]b"b[e^]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]
from 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
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