| Abbess (n.) A female superior of a convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey. Thesaurus Entries canoness, chatelaine, clergywoman, conventual, dame, dowager, first lady, goodwife, governess, great lady, homemaker, housewife, lady superior, madam, matriarch, matron, mistress, mother superior, novice, nun, postulant, prioress, religieuse, secular canoness, sister, superioress, the reverend mother |