The term specifically refers to a woman in charge of a religious community of women. In the medieval period, an abbess wielded considerable power.
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Religious Context
Used primarily in religious or historical settings, not in common daily conversation. They sought counsel from the abbess on spiritual matters.
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Cultural Variation
The role and influence of an abbess may vary significantly across different cultures and eras. The abbess in Tibetan nunneries has different responsibilities than in European ones.