Edit page | Page history | Printable version

nun

1. A woman devoted to a religious life, who lives in a convent, under the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They holy time is quiet as a nun breathless with adoration. (Wordsworth)

2. (Science: zoology) A white variety of domestic pigeons having a veil of feathers covering the head. The smew.

The European blue titmouse. Gray nuns, the members of a religious order established in Montreal in 1745, whence branches were introduced into the united states in 1853; so called from the colour or their robe, and known in religion as sisters of Charity of Montreal. Nun buoy. See Buoy.

Origin: OE. Nunne, AS. Nunne, fr. L. Nonna nun, nonnus monk; cf. Gr,; of unknown origin. Cf. Nunnery.