Recent Examples on the WebThe abbot told him to begin every morning by performing exactly 108 bows, a meditation exercise in Korean Buddhism.—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024 In the 12th century, the abbots of Crowland constructed a hall and chapel complex at the site, which were also uncovered during the recent digs.—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024 The finances of the monasteries are opaque, and little supervision was introduced even after an abbot with ties to Russian oligarchs was jailed in Greece for embezzlement and fraud in 2011 over a lucrative land deal.—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024 By the 12th century, the abbots of Crowland build a large hall and chapel complex on the site, which still stand today.—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024 It was partially destroyed again in 1079 as Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV (who would later become Holy Roman Emperor) engaged in a bitter conflict over which of them had the power to install bishops, monastery abbots, and even the pope himself (known as the Investiture Controversy).—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2024 According to Brother Phap Huu, abbot of the monks’ community, rapper, and former personal attendant to Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist leader believed in using musical and artistic expression to make Buddhism relevant for young people.—Abigail Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2023 Phra Kru Adisal Kijjanuwat, abbot of the Rat Samakee temple, around 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the scene of the bloodshed, said 19 victims will be cremated in a group ceremony on Tuesday, bringing an end to a three-day mourning ceremony for the families.—Tassanee Vejpongsa, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2022 Later, medieval monks elevated the sacred over the profane; one European abbot wrote his English dictionary in descending order, beginning with angels, the sun and moon, and the Earth and the sea and concluding with weapons, metals and gems, per the Times’ Dan Jones.—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abbot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English abbot, abbod, going back to Old English, borrowed from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās, borrowed from Late Greek abbâs (also, a title of respect given to monks), borrowed from Aramaic abbā "father"
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of abbot was
before the 12th century
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