abbaye

abbey

noun ah-BEH-ee Rare

Origin: Late Latin abbatia, from abbat- (abbot)

Usage Note

Abbaye denotes a monastic complex headed by an abbot or abbess; many French abbeys are major tourist and heritage sites, such as the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel. The related word abbé (m) refers to a Catholic priest or abbot. The plural is regular: abbayes.

Examples

"L'abbaye a été fondée au douzième siècle."

Natural Translation

The abbey was founded in the twelfth century.

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