tonsure

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the shaved crown of a monk's or priest's head
  2. noun shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order
  3. verb shave the head of a newly inducted monk

Etymology

From Middle English tonsure, from Anglo-Norman and Old French tonsure, from Latin tonsūra (“a clipping, trimming”), from tondeō (“shear, clip, trim”).

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