tonsure

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: ton=sure

CIDE DICTIONARY

tonsure, n. [F., fr. L. tonsura a shearing, clipping, from tondere, tonsum, to shear, shave; cf. Gr. to gnaw; perhaps akin to Gr. to cut, and E. tome.].

•  The act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the crown of the head; also, the state of being shorn.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

tonsure, n. & v.
--n.
1 the shaving of the crown of the head or the entire head, esp. of a person entering a priesthood or monastic order.
2 a bare patch made in this way.
--v.tr. give a tonsure to.

Etymology

ME f. OF tonsure or L tonsura (as TONSORIAL)

ROGET THESAURUS

tonsure

Canonicals

N canonicals, vestments, robe, gown, Geneva gown frock, pallium, surplice, cassock, dalmatic, scapulary, cope, mozetta, scarf, tunicle, chasuble, alb, alba, stole, fanon, fannel, tonsure, cowl, hood, calote, calotte, bands, capouch, amice, vagas, vakas, vakass, apron, lawn sleeves, pontificals, pall, miter, tiara, triple crown, shovel hat, cardinal's hat, biretta, crosier, pastoral staff, thurifer, costume.