nun: [OE] In medieval Latin, nunnus and nunna were titles of respect accorded respectively to old men and old women in general. In due course they came to be applied specifically to ‘monks’ and ‘nuns’. The masculine form has since disappeared, but the feminine nonna was borrowed into Old English as nunne. This was subsequently reinforced in the 13th century by Old French nonne.
nun (n.)
Old English nunne "nun, vestal, pagan priestess, woman devoted to religious life under vows," from Late Latin nonna "nun, tutor," originally (along with masc. nonnus) a term of address to elderly persons, perhaps from children's speech, reminiscent of nana (compare Sanskrit nona, Persian nana "mother," Greek nanna "aunt," Serbo-Croatian nena "mother," Italian nonna, Welsh nain "grandmother;" see nanny).
双语例句
1. It has confirmed me in my decision not to become a nun.
这使我更加坚定了不做修女的决心。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Finally, late in life and against considerable odds, she became a nun.
她排除极大困难，最终在晚年成为了一名修女。
来自柯林斯例句
3. I can't believe that the famous singer has become a nun.