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abbey
The definition of an abbey is building or complex where monks live and are supervised by an abbot or where nuns live and are supervised by an abbess.
(noun)An example of an abbey is a convent.
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See abbey in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a monastery headed by an abbot, or a convent of nuns headed by an abbess
- the monks or nuns in such a place, collectively
- a church or building belonging to an abbey
Origin: ME abbeie < OFr abaie < LL(Ec) abbatia, abbacy
See abbey in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. ab·beys
- A monastery supervised by an abbot.
- A convent supervised by an abbess.
- A church that is or once was part of a monastery or convent.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old French abaie
Origin: , from Late Latin abbātia; see abbacy
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American artist who illustrated editions of Herrick and Shakespeare and painted the mural Quest of the Holy Grail (1890-1902).
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