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abbé

abbot, parish priest

noun ah-BEH Rare
People & Society Religion

Origin: Latin 'abbas' (father), from Aramaic

Also means

form of address for a Catholic clergyman

Usage Note

Abbé is used both as a title and a direct form of address for a Catholic priest, especially in historical or rural contexts. The feminine counterpart does not exist in this form; the head of a female abbey is an abbesse. The related word abbaye (f) means 'abbey'.

Examples

"L'abbé bénit les fidèles après la messe."

Natural Translation

The priest blessed the faithful after Mass.

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