mother house

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. a convent housing a mother superior of a community of nuns.
2. a self-governing convent having authority over other houses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mother house¹

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

Though she is only thirty-three she is already the first assistant at the mother house, whence she comes to inspect here.

From Project Gutenberg

Luxeuil became the popular school of Gaul, the mother house of hundreds of monasteries.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the mother house, it is asserted on honor that up to 1838 not even as much as a curio had been sent there.

From Project Gutenberg

You see, Reverend Mother has given me a letter to the Superior in the mother-house, and other letters, too.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be mentioned here that in 1409 the Priory of Groenendael was instituted the Mother-house of a congregation of that name.

From Project Gutenberg