abbess

plural abbesses · alternative obsolete abbatess · alternative obsolete abbotess

1. A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks.First known use First attested around 1150 to 1350

   The abbess was always after the nuns to keep the convent immaculately clean.

   Synonyms: mother superior

2. BritisharchaicslangA woman who runs a brothel; a woman employed by a prostitute to find clients.

   So an old Abbess for the rattling Rakes, / A tempting dish of human nature makes, / And dresses up a luscious Maid: / I rather should have said, indeed, undresses, / To please a youth's unsanctified caresses.

   1793, John Wolcot, A Poetical, Serious, and Possibly Impertinent, Epistle to the Pope, Ode II, page 33

   2 more examples

   Why laſt night, as Colonel Kill'em, Sir William Weezy, Lord Frederick Foretop, and I were careleſsly ſliding the Ranelagh round, picking our teeth, after a damn'd muzzy dinner at Boodle's, who ſhould trip by but an abbeſs, well known about town, with a ſmart little nun in her ſuite.

   1770, Samuel Foote, The Lame Lover, a Comedy in Three Acts. […], London: […] Paul Vaillant; and sold by P[eter] Elmsly […]; and Robinson and Roberts, […], →OCLC, Act I, page 12

   "I mean to inform you," answered the Oxonian, with a grin on his face, "that those three nymphs, who have so much dazzled your optics, are three nuns, and the plump female is Mother .... of great notoriety, but generally designated the Abbess of .... Her residence is at no great distance from one of the royal palaces; and she is distinguished for her bold ingenuous line of conduct in the profession which she has chosen to adopt; so much so, indeed, that she eclipses all her competitors in infamy."

   1881, Pierce Egan, chapter 8, in Life in London, page 205

   Synonyms: bawd, Covent Garden abbess, lady abbess, madam