Abbey

  1. Proper noun.  A diminutive of the female given name Abigail.
  2. Noun.  A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy, which is headed by an abbot; also, the monastic building or buildings.
  3. Noun.  The church of a monastery.
  4. Noun.  In London, ''the Abbey'' is short for 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.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.