abbot

Etymology

From Middle English abbot, abbod, abbed, from Old English abbat, abbad, abbod, from Latin abbās (“father”), from Ancient Greek ἀββᾶς (abbâs), from Aramaic אבא (’abbā, “father”). Doublet of abba, abbé, and bwana.

noun

1. The superior or head of an abbey or monastery.
   The newly appointed abbot decided to take a tour of the abbey with the cardinal's emissary.
2. The pastor or administrator of an order, including minor and major orders starting with the minor order of porter.
3. A layman who received the abbey's revenues, after the closing of the monasteries.
4. (archaic, British slang) A brothel-owner's husband or lover.
5. (archaic, British slang) A ponce; a man employed by a prostitute to find clients, and who may also act as a bodyguard or equivalent to a bouncer.