Hypertext Webster Gateway: "abbey"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Abbey \Ab"bey\ ([a^]b"b[y^]), n.; pl. {Abbeys} (-b[i^]z). [OF.
aba["i]e, abba["i]e, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot.
See {Abbot}.]
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.
Note: 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.
Note: 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}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
abbey
n 1: a church associated with a monastery or convent
2: a convent ruled by an abbess
3: a monastery ruled by an abbot
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