nun, nonne, nunne

[A. S. nunna, from Low Lat. nunna , nonna =a nun, originally a title of respect, especially used in addre ing an old maiden lady, or widow, who had devoted herself to religious duties; properly mother; cf. Lat. nonnus =father, a monk; Gr. nannē, nenna=an aunt; nannas, nennos an uncle; Sansc. nand, a child's name for mother; Fr. nonne ; Dan. nunne ; Sw. nunna; Ger. nonne; O. H. Ger. nunnd; M. H. Ger. nunne.] 1. A virgin or widow who has consecrated herself to the service of God by the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and bound herself to live in a religious house under a certain rule. The first authentic notice of nuns is that by St. Antony, who, when retiring from the world, placed his sister in a house of virgins. St. August in, of Hippo, and St. Scholastic a, sister of St. Benedict, both founded nunneries, and all the great orders of men have orders of women affiliated to them or following their rule as closely as difference of sex will permit. Communities founded since the Council of Trent mostly follow the rule of St. August in, with certain modifications. Nearly all nuns are bound to the recitation of the divine office in choir, and take their meals in common, but each has a separate cell. Their occupations vary. Some devote themselves to the work of education, to nursing the sick, or the care of the poor. Others are contemplative. Excommunication is pronounced against any one 2874 attempting to force a woman to become a nun against her will, or to prevent her from becoming a nun without just cause. [DEACONESS, PROFESSION, VEIL.] 2. A name given to a variety of pigeon, having its head almost covered with a veil of feathers. 3. A name sometimes given to the Smew (q.v.). 4. The blue titmouse. formed two cones joined at their bases. nun-buoy, s. A buoy of a spindle shape, or *nun, v . t . [NUN, s.) To shut up as a nun. IMG:content-0158.png:[blocks in formation]