abbey

¹ American  

[ab-ee] / ˈæb i /

noun

plural

abbeys

1. a monastery under the supervision of an abbot or a convent under the supervision of an abbess.

2. the group of buildings comprising such a monastery or convent.

3. the church of an abbey.

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Abbey ² American  

[ab-ee] / ˈæb i /

noun

1. Edward, 1927–89, U.S. novelist and nature writer.

2. Edwin Austin, 1852–1911, U.S. painter and illustrator.

3. a first name, form of Abigail.

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abbey British  

/ ˈæbɪ /

noun

1. a building inhabited by a community of monks or nuns governed by an abbot or abbess

2. a church built in conjunction with such a building

3. such a community of monks or nuns

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Etymology

Origin of abbey

1200–50; Middle English abbey ( e ) < Old French abeie < Late Latin abbātia abbacy

Example Sentences

The King, speaking in the abbey's medieval Lady Chapel, also hailed the "spontaneous bravery" of those who helped in emergencies, such as the Bondi Beach attack in Australia.

From BBC

In Umberto Eco’s novel “The Name of the Rose,” a medieval abbey’s library that houses the lost second book of Aristotle’s “Poetics” burns to the ground.

From Salon

Dr Trowles said the Bible was originally chained to the bookshelves of the abbey library so it could not be removed.

From BBC

Outside the abbey, crowds of citizens gathered to show their respect, including Angela from Glasgow, who took the day off work to attend.

From BBC

But legend has it that a secret tunnel runs from the abbey to Tattershall Castle, and that a man vanished while exploring it.

From BBC

Related Words

• nunnery