prioress

American  

[prahy-er-is] / ˈpraɪ ər ɪs /

noun

1. a woman holding a position corresponding to that of a prior, sometimes ranking next below an abbess.

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ˈprioress British  

/ ˈpraɪərɪs /

noun

1. a nun holding an office in her convent corresponding to that of a prior in a male religious order

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Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

• subprioress noun

Etymology

Origin of prioress

1250–1300; Middle English prioresse < Old French. See prior ², -ess

Example Sentences

Marie, who becomes the prioress of the abbey at 17, begins a rise to power — or as much power as a woman is permitted — using her fellow nuns to fight off political and violent incursions.

From Los Angeles Times

He had dozens of burly military veterans enforce his rules while the prioress and several nuns left.

From Seattle Times

"It was our first time in a room together. We sat at a table as he ate, and the prioress didn't come back so I had to let him out."

From BBC

“This could be the prioress, or maybe someone in the Dominican order who is over her, though it is possible archdiocesan officials have weighed in on the matter informally.”

From Los Angeles Times

They fret about prioress elections and daily expenses — “the high price of pins, the extravagance of little loaves, the wastage of candles” — more than they do the Black Death.

From New York Times

Related Words

• sister