Ab'bess, n.
n. [Fr. abbesse, from Fr. abbé, Lat. abbatissa, Pr. abbadessa.] 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. See ABBEY.
n. [Fr. abbesse, from Fr. abbé, Lat. abbatissa, Pr. abbadessa.] 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. See ABBEY.