archimandrite

American  

[ahr-kuh-man-drahyt] / ˌɑr kəˈmæn draɪt /

noun

Eastern Church.

1. the head of a monastery; an abbot.

2. a superior abbot, having charge of several monasteries.

3. a title given to distinguished celibate priests.

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archimandrite British  

/ ˌɑːkɪˈmændraɪt /

noun

1. Greek Orthodox Church the head of a monastery or a group of monasteries

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Etymology

Origin of archimandrite

1585–95; < Late Latin archimandrīta < Late Greek archimandrī́tēs abbot, equivalent to Greek archi- archi- + Late Greek mándr ( a ) monastery ( Greek: fold, enclosure) + -ītēs -ite ¹