priory

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a monastery or convent governed by a prior or prioress, or the buildings occupied by that community

   Rooks nested in the trees beyond the ruined priory.

From Anglo-Norman priorie, formed from prior, the title of a monastic superior. Prior ultimately comes from Latin prior, 'former or superior.' A priory may be an independent religious house or one subordinate to an abbey.

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