Nun

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /nʌn/

Definitions

1. A female member of a religious order dedicated to spiritual living and service within a convent environment, often adhering to specific vows and routines
2. A woman who belongs to a religious group and lives a life devoted to faith and community activities
3. A female adherent to a religious order, typically residing in a convent and committing to spiritual discipline

Etymology: The Old English "nunne" came from Late Latin "nonna," a word the source traces to a term of address for elderly persons, perhaps reminiscent of "nana" and similar baby-talk forms like "papa." The masculine counterpart "nonnus" meant "man" in the same sense, so the word began as a familiar label for an older person rather than a religious title. Monastic women took it over as the Church spread, and the English form passed through the same path to name a woman living under vows. The English word "nun" is therefore a shortened, altered descendant of an old-fashioned affectionate term, and the sense of "sister in a religious community" grew out of that everyday use. Its earlier sense of "grandmother" or simply "old woman" faded as the religious meaning took over.

Synonyms: sister, religious sister, female monk