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canoness

[kan-uh-nis]
See more synonyms for canoness on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a member of a Christian community of women living under a rule but not under a vow.
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Origin of canoness

First recorded in 1675–85; canon2 + -ess

Usage note

See -ess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for canoness

Historical Examples

  • The canoness and the Bernardine nun step into the enclosure reserved for the litigants.

    The Iron Pincers

    Eugne Sue

  • Canoness Aigline is handsome and tall, her mien is imperious.

  • With another sign, he made the canoness understand that she and his father were to kiss his betrothed.

  • Dancing went on all night, and I did not leave my canoness, who was a delightful woman and danced admirably.

    The Memoires of Casanova, Complete

    Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

  • Without a pause I renewed my conversation with the canoness, not so much as looking around.

    The Memoires of Casanova, Complete

    Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

British Dictionary definitions for canoness

canoness

noun
  1. RC Church a woman belonging to any one of several religious orders and living under a rule but not under a vow
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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