Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Abbey
Ab′bey
(ăb′by̆)
, Noun.
pl.
Abbeys
(-bĭz)
. 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.
☞ 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.
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
. Webster 1828 Edition
Abbey
AB'BEY
,Noun.
plu.
A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion. The males are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the females are called nuns, and governed by an abbess. These institutions were suppressed in England by Henry VIII.; but they still exist in Catholic countries.