tonsure

ton·sure

T t

Definitions of tonsure word

noun tonsure the act of cutting the hair or shaving the head. 1
noun tonsure the shaving of the head or of some part of it as a religious practice or rite, especially in preparation for entering the priesthood or a monastic order. 1
noun tonsure the part of a cleric's head, usually the crown, left bare by shaving the hair. 1
noun tonsure the state of being shorn. 1
verb with object tonsure to confer the ecclesiastical tonsure upon. 1
verb with object tonsure to subject to tonsure. 1

before 1350

One of the 20% oldest English words

1350-1400; Middle English < Latin tōnsūra a shearing, equivalent to tōns(us) (past participle of tondēre to shear, clip, shave) + -ūra -ure

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exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 78% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

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