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1. (n.) tonsure
the shaving of the head or of some part of it, esp. upon entering the priestood or a monastic order.
2. tonsure
the part of a cleric's head, usu. the crown, left bare by shaving the hair.
3. tonsure
the state of being shorn.
4. (v.t.) tonsure
to subject to tonsure.
Etymology: (1350–1400; ME < L tōnsūra a shearing =tōns(us), ptp. of tondēre to shear, clip, shave +-ūra -ure)
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| Definition of 'tonsure' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) tonsure
the shaved crown of a monk's or priest's head
2. (verb) tonsure
shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order
3. (verb) tonsure
shave the head of a newly inducted monk
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| Definition of 'tonsure' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) tonsure
the act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the crown of the head; also, the state of being shorn
2. (noun) tonsure
the first ceremony used for devoting a person to the service of God and the church; the first degree of the clericate, given by a bishop, abbot, or cardinal priest, consisting in cutting off the hair from a circular space at the back of the head, with prayers and benedictions; hence, entrance or admission into minor orders
3. (noun) tonsure
the shaven corona, or crown, which priests wear as a mark of their order and of their rank
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Definitions of tonsure 
