Nun
/nʌn/noun
A woman who has formally devoted herself to religious life, typically living in a convent or religious community.
Did you know?The English word ultimately comes from Late Latin nonna, a familiar term for a female caregiver or older woman, before becoming associated with Christian religious communities.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin, 4th–5th Century
Late Latin
nonna
“A female caregiver, nurse, or older woman; later a female religious devotee”
Old English, 7th–11th Century
Old English
nunne
“A nun or female member of a religious community”
Middle English, 12th–14th Century
Middle English
nunne
“A woman belonging to a convent or religious order”
14th Century
English
nun
“A female religious devotee”
Modern English
English
nun
“A woman who has taken religious vows, usually within a Christian tradition”