Library / English Dictionary

TONSURE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("tonsure" is a kind of...):

shave; shaving (the act of removing hair with a razor)

Derivation:

tonsure (shave the head of a newly inducted monk)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The shaved crown of a monk's or priest's head

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("tonsure" is a kind of...):

crown; pate; poll (the top of the head)

Derivation:

tonsure (shave the head of a newly inducted monk)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shave the head of a newly inducted monk

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "tonsure" is one way to...):

shave (remove body hair with a razor)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

tonsure (shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order)

tonsure (the shaved crown of a monk's or priest's head)

Credits