Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Synonym of Poor Clare: a nun of the Order of Saint Clare.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: Catholicism, Christianity
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: Poor Clare
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Alternative letter-case form of Minoress: a Poor Clare.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
Topics: Catholicism, Christianity
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Synonym of girl: a female minor.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: girl
Antonyms: none provided
History
From Medieval Latin minorissa, from Latin minor (“little, lesser”) + -issa (“-ess”), under influence from Norman frere-menouresse and Middle French sereur meneuresse (“lesser sister”), from menour (“minor”) + -esse (“-ess”), after the model of Medieval Latin Fratres Minores (“Lesser Brothers”), chosen by St. Francis to inculcate humility in the order's members. Equivalent to minor + -ess. Doublet of minoress and Sister Minor.
From Medieval Latin minorissa.
From minor + -ess.
Across languages
1 source translations are retained for this English entry.
