abbotship
(ˈæbət-ʃɪp)
Also 7 abbatship.
[f. abbot + -ship.]
The office or rule of an abbot; abbacy; abbatial term of office.
| 1495 Vitas Patrum (W. de Worde) i. clviii. 163 b, All the Religious that so besily desyred her to take upon her the auctorytee of the abbotshypp. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 348 a, In steade of one bishoppricke, which they left, they had of them again many abbotships, or such other like promotions. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. II. 114 Richlieu..confer'd upon him the abbatship of Charroux. 1872 Spectator 6 April 444 The last years of John of Whethamstede's first abbotship were not passed without the accustomed miscellaneous litigations. |