canoness

American  

[kan-uh-nis] / ˈkæn ə nɪs /

noun

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

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canoness British  

/ 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

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Gender

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

Etymology

Origin of canoness

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

Example Sentences

The nine-day period began with his canonizing as Saints Lucia Filippini, foundress of the religious educational order Maestre Pie Filippini, and Caterina Thoma, a Spanish canoness.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thou?" said Quentin, in astonishment—"thou be admitted to the presence of the ladies, and here, where they are in a manner recluses under the protection of the Bishop's sister, a noble canoness?

From Quentin Durward by Scott, Walter, Sir

That forty-year-old canoness, with high shoulders and grating voice!

From 'Clear the Track' A Story of To-day by Elisabeth Buerstenbinder (AKA E. Werner)

At her side stood her younger sister, a canoness, who was paying her a few days' visit—an amiable lady with a very cheerful temperament.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 17, No. 100, April, 1876 by Various

When six years of age she was received as a canoness into the noble chapter of Alix, near Lyons, with the title of Madame la Comtesse de Lancy, taken from the town of Bourbon-Lancy.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

Related Words

• sister