prioress

(prīər is)

noun

  1. the woman head of a priory of nuns, etc.
  2. in an abbey of nuns, the woman in charge next below the abbess

Origin: ME prioresse < MFr < ML(Ec) priorissa: see prior & -ess

See prioress in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A nun in charge of a priory or ranking next below the abbess of an abbey.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English prioresse

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , feminine of prior, a prior; see prior2

.

Learn more about prioress

link/cite print suggestion box