Ab'bot, n.

n. [Lat. abbas, gen. abbatis, Pr. abbat, abat, Fr. abbé. See ABBA.] 1. The superior or governor of an abbey. ☞ Abbots are regular, or such as take the vow and wear the habit of the order; and commendatory, such as are seculars, but obliged, when of suitable age, to take orders.

2. One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys. Encyc. Brit.
3. One of a certain class of magistrates or rulers, especially the chief magistrate of Genoa.
4. A leader of certain jovial festivities; as, the abbot of unreason. Fosbroke.