1. Plural of abbess; women who are the heads of convents or abbeys in the Christian church.
Usage: Typically used in religious or historical contexts.; The singular form is 'abbess'.

Examples

• The abbesses of the region gathered for an annual council.
• Medieval abbesses wielded considerable power and influence over their communities.
• Several abbesses signed the charter in the 12th century.
• The abbesses managed large estates and supervised hundreds of nuns.
• Historical records document the names of many notable abbesses from the Middle Ages.