• Canoness

    Origin

    canon + -ess. Compare Latin canonissa.

    Full definition of canoness

    Noun

    canoness

    (plural canonesses)
    1. (dated) A woman who holds a canonry in a conventual chapter.

    Usage notes

    A regular canoness was bound by the vow of poverty, and observed a strict rule of life. A secular canoness was allowed to hold private property and bound only by vows of chastity and obedience so long as she chose to remain in the chapter.

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