ηγουμένη

Inherited from Byzantine Greek ἡγουμένη (hēgouménē), feminine noun, as in masculine Koine noun ἡγούμενος (hēgoúmenos), from Ancient Greek present participle of ἡγέομαι / ἡγοῦμαι (hēgoûmai, “I go before, I lead”).

• IPA^(key): /i.ɣuˈme.ni/
• Hyphenation: η‧γου‧μέ‧νη

ηγουμένη • (igouméni) f (plural ηγούμενες, masculine ηγούμενος)

1. abbess, prioress, mother superior

Compare to the declension of feminine participle ηγούμενη (igoúmeni) at ηγούμενος (igoúmenos, “sense: leader”).

The plural form 'ηγουμένες', a widespread mistake c. the 2000s, is likely to gain frequency in the future.

• ηγουμένισσα f (igouménissa)

• see: ηγούμενος m (igoúmenos, “father superior, abbot”) and ηγούμαι (igoúmai)

• ηγούμενος, ηγουμένη & ηγουμένισσα, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language