ἀββα

See also: αββά and Appendix:Variations of "abba"

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

  • ἀββά (abbá), ἀββᾶ (abbâ), ἀββᾶς (abbâs)

Etymology

Borrowed from Aramaic אַבָּא (ʾabbā, father).

The semantic shift from 'father' to 'abbot' is due to abbots being considered as fathers to the rest of the priests in the abbey, for being the wisest and more experienced.

Pronunciation

 

Noun

ἀββᾱ • (abbā) m (indeclinable)

  1. father
  2. title of respect given to abbots

Descendants

  • Greek: αββάς (avvás), αβάς (avás)
Borrowings

References

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