Main Entry:

¹ton·sure

Pronunciation:

\ˈtän(t)-shər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin tonsura, from Latin, act of shearing, from tonsus, past participle of tondēre to shear — more at tome

Date:

14th century

1 : the Roman Catholic or Eastern rite of admission to the clerical state by the clipping or shaving of a portion of the head 2 : the shaven crown or patch worn by monks and other clerics 3 : a bald spot resembling a tonsure