mother superior
2
7.8
- noun
- /ˈmʌðər səˈpɪrɪər/
:
madre superiora
- As the mother superior, she was responsible for overseeing the entire convent.
Examples
-
Why was the Mother Superior being so difficult?
Fiction book (1991) -
Then came the convent`s final mother superior, Sister Ursala.
-
I would have to ask mother superior.
-
- I am the Mother Superior!
-
You were going to be a mother superior and run your order.
Fiction book (1999) -
The mother superior took charge of the situation.
Fiction book (2002) -
Mother Superior, may I have a glass of milk, please?
-
The mother superior is my great-aunt.
-
Mother Superior, you reproach me when I most require your trust and guidance.
-
Goodbye, Mother Superior.
Synonyms
∞
7.5
A title for the woman who leads a group of nuns
3
8.9
A woman who leads a group of nuns in a convent
1
9.9
A woman who leads a group of nuns
A woman who leads an abbey or convent
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'mother' signals a female or religious title and 'superior' denotes someone of higher rank or authority, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a female leader of a religious community. This composition is literal and parallels equivalent constructions in many languages, making the sense immediately comprehensible without prior exposure.
Etymology
Mother superior is a title from life in a convent where the head nun acted like a caring mother and was also called superior because she stood above the other nuns. So the phrase means 'the woman in charge of a convent'.