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abbacy

American  
[ab-uh-see] / ˈæb ə si /

noun

plural

abbacies
  1. the rank, rights, privileges, or jurisdiction of an abbot.

  2. the term of office of an abbot.


abbacy British  
/ ˈæbəsɪ /

noun

  1. the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of abbacy

1400–50; late Middle English abbacie, abbat ( h ) ie < Late Latin abbātia ( cf. abbey), equivalent to abbāt- ( see abbot) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Beaton died in 1539; and Durie's appointment to the Abbacy of Dunfermline was confirmed by James the Fifth.

From The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6) by Laing, David

Early in his Episcopate a dispute which arose concerning the lands of Airthrey was submitted to arbiters, one of whom was his successor in the Abbacy of Inchaffray, viz.:

From Chronicles of Strathearn by Macdougall, W. B.

Their glebe consisted entirely of marsh and bog when the Abbacy was created.

From Chronicles of Strathearn by Macdougall, W. B.

It is however quite certain that Ferne was held, along with the Abbacy of Kelso in commendam, by Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Caithness, who died in 1517.

From The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6) by Laing, David

Yet James Beaton obtained possession of the Abbacy, and retained it till 1551, when he was raised to the See of Glasgow.

From The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6) by Laing, David