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tonsure

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
ton·sure  (tnshr)
n.
1. The act of shaving the head or part of the head, especially as a preliminary to becoming a priest or a member of a monastic order.
2. The part of a monk's or priest's head that has been shaved.
tr.v. ton·sured, ton·sur·ing, ton·sures
To shave the head of.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tnsra, from Latin, a shearing, from tnsus, past participle of tondre, to shear; see tem- in Indo-European roots.]

tonsure
Noun
a. (in certain religions and monastic orders) the shaving of the head or the crown of the head only
b. the part of the head left bare by such shaving
Verb
[-suring, -sured]
to shave the head of [Latin tonsura a clipping]
tonsured adj

tonsure
1. the act or process of cutting the hair, especially as a religious rite or custom.
2. the shaved part of the head, usually the crown, of a member of a religious order. — tonsorial, adj.
See also: Hair
1. the act or process of cutting the hair, especially as a religious rite or custom.
2. the shaved part of the head, usually the crown, of a member of a religious order. — tonsorial, adj.
See also: Monks and Nuns
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.tonsuretonsure - the shaved crown of a monk's or priest's head
pate, poll, crown - the top of the head
2.tonsuretonsure - shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order
shave, shaving - the act of removing hair with a razor
Verb1.tonsuretonsure - shave the head of a newly inducted monk
shave - remove body hair with a razor

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
from which they derived their name, or the bursars of the college of Dormans on their shaved tonsure, and their surtout parti-colored of bluish-green, blue, and violet cloth,
Pedro Lobo's son has received the first orders and tonsure, with the intention of becoming a priest.
Come but within reach of my sword arm, and, friar or no friar, I'll shave your tonsure closer than ever bald-pated monk was shaven before
 
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