abbacy

noun

ab·​ba·​cy ˈa-bə-sē How to pronounce abbacy (audio)
plural abbacies
: the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbot

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbathie, abbasye, borrowed from Anglo-French abbacie, abbathie, borrowed from Medieval Latin abbātia — more at abbey

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abbacy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near abbacy

abba

abbacy

Abbadid

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Cite this Entry

“Abbacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbacy. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Britannica English: Translation of abbacy for Arabic Speakers

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