abbacy

[ ab-uh-see ]

/ ˈæb ə si /

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noun, plural ab·ba·cies.

the rank, rights, privileges, or jurisdiction of an abbot.

the term of office of an abbot.

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Origin of abbacy

1400–50; late Middle English abbacie, abbat(h)ie<Late Latin abbātia (cf. abbey), equivalent to abbāt- (see abbot) + -ia-ia

Words nearby abbacy

abattoir, abaxial, abaya, abb, Abba, abbacy, abba-dabba, Abbado, Abbai, Abbas, Abbas I

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use abbacy in a sentence

Robert Ramsey succeeded to the abbacy in 1346, but of him nothing particular is recorded.
The New Guide to Peterborough Cathedral|George S. Phillips
Falling into disgrace at court, he was banished to the abbacy of Bonport.
Charles Sumner; His Complete Works, Volume X (of 20)|Charles Sumner
"Thou givest the abbacy to him above us all," said Brenainn.
The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran|Anonymous
And then were the charters of the King concerning the gift of the abbacy produced and read in full audience.
The Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond: A Picture of Monastic Life in the Days of Abbot Samson|Jocelin de Brakelond

The tower was built by Clement Lichfield in the last years of his abbacy, and hardly finished at his resignation in 1539.
Evesham|Edmund H. New

British Dictionary definitions for abbacy

abbacy

/ (ˈæbəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess

Word Origin for abbacy

C15: from Church Latin abbātia, from abbāt- abbot

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012