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Webster 1913 Edition


Canoness

Can′on-ess

,
Noun.
[Cf. LL.
canonissa
.]
A woman who holds a canonry in a conventual chapter.
Regular canoness
,
one bound by the vow of poverty, and observing a strict rule of life.
Secular canoness
,
one allowed to hold private property, and bound only by vows of chastity and obedience so long as she chose to remain in the chapter.

Webster 1828 Edition


Canoness

CANONESS

,
Noun.
A woman who enjoys a prebend, affixed, by the foundation, to maids, without obliging them to make any vows or renounce the world.

Definition 2024


canoness

canoness

English

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.