canoness

[kan-uh-nis]

noun

1. a member of a Christian community of women living under a rule but not under a vow.

canoness

/ ˈkænənɪs /

noun

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

Gender Note

What's the difference between canoness and canon? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of canoness¹

First recorded in 1675–85; canon ² + -ess

Related Words

• sister