Meaning & use
tonsure
Last updated
The shaving of all or part of the head, especially as a religious practice among monks and some clergy; also the bald patch this creates.
See it in a sentence
The young monk received his tonsure in a solemn ceremony marking his entry into the order.
Medieval paintings often show friars with a distinctive circular tonsure.
A note on using this word
Primarily associated with Christian monastic tradition, though similar head-shaving customs exist in other religions too.
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