lay sister

noun

a woman who has taken religious vows and habit but is employed in her order chiefly in manual labor.

lay sister

a woman who has taken the vows of a religious order but is not ordained and not bound to divine office

First recorded in 1700–10

Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.

Ten minutes after, two nuns and a lay sister entered and installed themselves in the house.

"Sister Maria Addolorata may then rest a little," answered the lay sister, who rarely spoke.

The lay-sister retired as noiselessly as she had come, and Mother Gertrude closed her book.

With the assistance of the lay-sister, Beatrice effected her escape from the building, and joined me outside the walls.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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