Tonsure Definition

tŏnshər
tonsured, tonsures, tonsuring
noun
A clipping off or shaving off of part or all of the hair of the head, done esp. formerly as a signal of entrance into the clerical or monastic state.
Webster's New World
The head area so clipped or shaved.
Webster's New World

The bald patch resulting from being tonsured.

Wiktionary
verb
To clip or shave the head hair of for such a purpose.
Webster's New World

(Christianity) To subject to the often ritual shaving of the crown of the head as a sign of humility and one's religious vocation. Some tonsures were more dramatic than others, leaving only a fringe of hair. Abolished by Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Tonsure

Noun

Singular:
tonsure
Plural:
tonsures

Origin of Tonsure

  • Middle English from Old French from Medieval Latin tōnsūra from Latin a shearing from tōnsus past participle of tondēre to shear tem- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin tonsÅ«ra (“a clipping, trimming"), from tondeō (“shear, clip, trim").

    From Wiktionary

Tonsure Sentence Examples

  • He was educated at the school of the Brothers of the Christian Doctrine at Brive, where he received the tonsure at the age of thirteen.

  • The Roman or St Peter's tonsure prevailed in France, Spain and Italy.

  • Destined from his birth for the church, he received the tonsure at the age of seven and was soon loaded with rich benefices and preferments.

  • They had to be clerics, that is, to have received the tonsure.

  • The Irish Druids seem to have had a peculiar tonsure.

More Sentences

Tonsure Is Also Mentioned In

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to tonsure using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

TTOTON

Words Ending With

EREURE

Unscrambles

tonsure

Words Starting With T and Ending With E

Starts With T & Ends With EStarts With TO & Ends With EStarts With T & Ends With RE

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With T7 Letter Words Ending With E