prioress
prioress — noun
- prioresssingular
- prioressesplural
1. In a Christian religious community, a senior nun who is the head of a priory (a
In a Christian religious community, a senior nun who is the head of a priory (a convent or monastery that is smaller than an abbey) or who serves as the second-ranking officer of an abbey, directly below the abbess.
Maeve was elected prioress of St. Clare's convent after twelve years as novice mistress.
passive: was elected prioress of [convent]
The prioress led morning prayers and gave a short reflection on the day's gospel reading.
As prioress of the house, Diya reported to the abbess on finances and staff.
The elderly prioress welcomed the new novices and showed them around the convent garden.
- mother superior
A more general term for the female head of a religious community; 'prioress' specifies the rank more precisely.
文法句型
the prioress of [place]
[name] + was elected/appointed prioress
用法筆記
This title belongs to a specific rank within Catholic and Anglican religious orders. The masculine counterpart is 'prior'. A prioress who leads an independent priory has authority equal to an abbess within her own house, while a prioress serving under an abbess holds a deputy role.