prioress

[ prahy-er-is ]

/ ˈpraɪ ər ɪs /

a woman holding a position corresponding to that of a prior, sometimes ranking next below an abbess.

Origin of prioress

1250–1300; Middle English prioresse < Old French. See prior², -ess

See -ess.

sub·pri·or·ess, noun

It seems to represent a bishop, since there are traces of a crosier, though some have taken it for a prioress.

Somerset |G.W. Wade and J.H. Wade
First came two monks, then six armed men of the Abbot's guard, then the Prioress and three of her nuns.

The Lady Of Blossholme |H. Rider Haggard
At Sopwell the nuns more than once tried to elect their own prioress and seem to have found the Abbot somewhat high-handed.

Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 |Eileen Edna Power
Some of them stayed away unduly long when they happened to go out with the licence of the Prioress.

Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 |Eileen Edna Power

A nun, who had been Agnes's friend, hinted at atrocious vengeance taken by the prioress for Agnes's attempt to escape.

The World's Greatest Books, Vol VI. |Various

prioress

/ (ˈpraɪərɪs) /

a nun holding an office in her convent corresponding to that of a prior in a male religious order