prioress

[prahy-er-is]

noun

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

ˈprioress

/ ˈpraɪərɪs /

noun

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

Gender Note

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

• subprioress noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prioress¹

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

Related Words

• sister