Ab"bey (ăb"b&ybreve;), n.; pl. Abbeys (-b&ibreve;z). [OF. abaïe, abbaïe, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot. See Abbot.] 1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings.

&fist; The men are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.

2. The church of a monastery.

In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.

Syn. -- Monastery; convent; nunnery; priory; cloister. See Cloister.

• A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings.
       Example
       "The old abbot was nicknamed 'The Abbot of Misrule' for having mismanaged the abbey."
  
• The church of a monastery.
  
• In London, the Abbey is short for Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.
  

• A female given name.