First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1tonsure
noun ton·sure \ˈtän(t)-shər\
: a round, shaved area on the top of a priest's or monk's head
Full Definition of TONSURE
1
: the Roman Catholic or Eastern rite of admission to the clerical state by the clipping or shaving of a portion of the head
2
: the shaven crown or patch worn by monks and other clerics
3
: a bald spot resembling a tonsure
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Origin of TONSURE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin tonsura, from Latin, act of shearing, from tonsus, past participle of tondēre to shear — more at tome
2tonsure
transitive verb
ton·suredton·sur·ing \ˈtän(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of TONSURE
: to shave the head of; especially : to confer the tonsure upon
First Known Use of TONSURE
1706
Other Christian Religious Terms
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