tonsure Definition
the act of cutting the hair, especially the hair on the head, as a religious practice or rite of passage.
Using tonsure: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tonsure" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The monk's head was shaved in a traditional tonsure ceremony.
Example
In some cultures, the first tonsure is an important rite of passage for young boys.
Example
The bishop performed the tonsure on the new priest.
Example
The tonsure is a symbol of religious devotion.
tonsure Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with tonsure
Example
The monks in this order practice a complete tonsure.
tonsure collar
a type of clerical collar that is circular and fits around the neck, worn by some Christian clergy who have received the tonsure
Example
The priest wore a black shirt with a white tonsure collar.
tonsure ceremony
a religious ceremony in which a person's hair is cut or shaved off, often as a sign of religious devotion or initiation into a religious order
Example
The tonsure ceremony was held in the church with all the members of the order present.
Origins of tonsure
from Latin 'tonsurare', meaning 'to shear'
Summary: tonsure in Brief
'Tonsure' [ˈtɒn.ʃər] refers to the act of cutting hair, especially on the head, as a religious practice or rite of passage. It is often used in religious contexts, such as the tonsure ceremony, where a person's hair is cut or shaved off as a sign of religious devotion or initiation into a religious order. The term also includes phrases like 'complete tonsure,' which refers to a complete shaving of the head, and 'tonsure collar,' which is a type of clerical collar worn by some Christian clergy who have received the tonsure.
