abbatial

Definition

Belonging to, relating to, or pertaining to an abbey, abbot, or abbess.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English abbacyal, derived from Middle French abbatial, derived from Late Latin abbātiāl|is, ~e, from abbā|s, ~tis (“abbot”) + -āl|is, ~e (“-ial”). Doublet of abbot.

Example Sentences

• "a possible abbatial vacancy"
• "Thus the abbatial succession came to be confined to members of the clan of the founder; and although originally the abbots were elected from the "founder's kin," and were distinct from those of the clan who possessed the abbatial lands, yet in process of time ecclesiastical line was merged in the secular, and both were united in one lay official, like the successors of St. Patrick at Armagh, who were the objects of St. Bernard's denunciations"