Canoness

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Canoness \Can"on*ess\, n. [Cf. LL. canonissa.]
     A woman who holds a canonry in a conventual chapter.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {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.
        [1913 Webster] canonic