Ab'bey, n.

n.; pl. ABBEYS. [Fr. abbaye, abbaie, abbie, Lat. abbatía. See ABBACY.] 1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy. ☞ The males are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the females are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.

2. The church of a monastery; as, Westminster Abbey.
3. A house near a monastery for the residence of the abbot or abbess. (Grot.)
4. A dwelling-house formerly used as an abbey, but afterward confiscated for private use; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.

Syn.—Cloister; monastery; convent; nunnery; priory. See CLOISTER.