Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Abbess

Abbess (ab"bes) , noun

[Old French abaesse, abeesse, French abbesse, Latin abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.]

A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey.