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Webster 1913 Edition
Tonsure
Ton′sure
,Noun.
[F., fr. L.
tonsura
a shearing, clipping, from tondere
, tonsum
, to shear, shave; cf. Gr. [GREEK] to gnaw; perhaps akin to Gr. [GREEK] to cut, and E. tome
.] 1.
The act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the crown of the head; also, the state of being shorn.
2.
(R. C. Ch.)
(a)
The first ceremony used for devoting a person to the service of God and the church; the first degree of the clericate, given by a bishop, abbot, or cardinal priest, consisting in cutting off the hair from a circular space at the back of the head, with prayers and benedictions; hence, entrance or admission into minor orders.
(b)
The shaven corona, or crown, which priests wear as a mark of their order and of their rank.
Webster 1828 Edition
Tonsure
TON'SURE
,Noun.
1.
The act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the head; or the state of being shorn.2.
In the Romish church, tonsure is the first ceremony used for devoting a person to the service of God and the church; the first degree of the clericate, given by a bishop, who cuts off a part of his hair with prayers and benedictions. Hence tonsure is used to denote entrance or admission into holy orders.3.
In the Romish church, the corona or crown which priests wear as a mark of their order and of their rank in the church.