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Definition of prioress

prioress

/ˈpraɪ.ə.ɹɪs/
pri · or · ess
Plural:prioresses
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prioress Lexical Profile

prioress Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A woman who is the head of a priory of nuns, or a monastic superior ranking next below an abbess in an abbey.

Example

"In Geoffrey Chaucer's *The Canterbury Tales*, the Prioress is portrayed as a refined woman of courtly manners."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for prioress

• Rhymes for prioress

• Nearby Words

printworks
prion
prior
prioress
prioritization
prioritize
priority

Word Origin & Etymology

Middle English, from Old French prioresse, feminine of priur ('prior'), from Medieval Latin priorissa, ultimately from Latin prior meaning 'former' or 'superior'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Prioress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/prioress
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