Ab·bey n.; pl. Abbeys
1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings.
Note: ☞ The men are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.
2. The church of a monastery.
Note: In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.
Syn: -- Monastery; convent; nunnery; priory; cloister. See Cloister.
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