from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Abbot \Ab"bot\ ([a^]b"b[u^]t), n. [AS. abbod, abbad, L. abbas,
abbatis, Gr. 'abba^s, fr. Syriac abb[=a] father. Cf. {Abba},
{Abb['e]}.]
1. The superior or head of an abbey.
[1913 Webster]
2. One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys.
--Encyc. Brit.
[1913 Webster]
{Abbot of the people}. a title formerly given to one of the
chief magistrates in Genoa.
{Abbot of Misrule} (or {Lord of Misrule}), in medi[ae]val
times, the master of revels, as at Christmas; in Scotland
called the {Abbot of Unreason}. --Encyc. Brit.
[1913 Webster]