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Abbey vs Cathedral - What's the difference?

abbey | cathedral | Synonyms |

As nouns the difference between abbey and cathedral

is that abbey is the office or dominion of an abbot or abbess while cathedral is a big church building, central place for some area.

As a proper noun Abbey

is {{given name|female|diminutive=Abigail}}.

abbey

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The office or dominion of an abbot or abbess.
  • A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy, which is headed by an abbot or abbess; also, the monastic building or buildings.
  • From 1199 to 1203 William Punchard was the abbot of the abbey of Rievaulx, which was part of the Cistercian order of monks.
  • The church of a monastery.
  • (UK) A residence that was previously an abbatial building.
  • (capitalized) In London, the Abbey is short for Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood.
  • See also

    * cloister * convent * friary * monastery * nunnery * priory

    References

    *

    cathedral

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A big church building, central place for some area.
  • The principal church of a bishop's diocese which contains an episcopal throne.
  • Derived terms

    * cathedral ceiling