A Dictionary of the English Language/abbacy
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| ←abba | A Dictionary of the English Language abbacy |
abbess→ |
| See the modern Wiktionary entry at abbacy |
A′bbacy. n. s. [Lat. abbatia.] The rights or privileges of an abbot. See Abbey.
According to Felinus, an abbacy is the dignity itself, since an abbot is a term or word of dignity, and not of office; and, therefore, even a secular person, who has the care of souls, is sometimes, in the canon law, also stiled an abbot.Ayliffe's Parergon Juris Canonici.