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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prioress 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

Explanation

The head of a group of nuns is a prioress. Geoffrey Chaucer immortalized this figure by including The Prioress's Tale as one of his 14th-century Canterbury Tales. In the hierarchy of religious figures at a Carmelite or Dominican monastery, a group of nuns is lead by a prioress, whose superior is called an abbess. The male version of these ranks are prior and abbot, leaders who preside over a group of Catholic monks.

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2023

Sister Mary Elizabeth eventually plucked up the courage to say to her prioress that she thought she had feelings for Robert, but the response she got was disbelief.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2023

“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 • Dec. 3, 2021

When “Matrix” opens, Marie, all of 17 years old, is appointed prioress of a dilapidated abbey, founded centuries earlier, where a few nuns remain scavenging for food.

From Washington Post • Aug. 30, 2021

I kneel before the prioress of St Emilion so that I see only the broad swath of her simple habit edged in green velvet Crossing my arms over my chest I avoid her gaze.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• sister