The difference between Abbess and Mother superior
When used as nouns, abbess means a female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks, whereas mother superior means a nun in charge of a priory or convent.
check bellow for the other definitions of Abbess and Mother superior
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Abbess as a noun:
A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks.
Examples:
"The ''abbess'' was always after the nuns to keep the convent immaculately clean."
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Abbess as a noun (archaic, British slang):
A woman who runs a brothel; a woman employed by a prostitute to find clients.
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Mother superior as a noun:
a nun in charge of a priory or convent; either a prioress or an abbess