The often ritual shaving of the crown of the head as a sign of humility and one's religious vocation. Some tonsures were more dramatic than others, leaving only a fringe of hair. Abolished by Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church
(2 syl ) The tonsure of St Peter consists in shaving the crown and back of the head, so as to leave a ring or crown of hair The tonsure of James consists in shaving the entire front of the head This is sometimes called the tonsure of Simon the Magician, and sometimes the Scottish tonsure, from its use in North Britain
{i} act of cutting one's hair, act of shaving one's head; ritual shaving of the head in preparation for entry into the priesthood; shaved patch of the head (of candidates for priesthood); state of being shaven
The first ceremony used for devoting a person to the service of God and the church; the first degree of the clericate, given by a bishop, abbot, or cardinal priest, consisting in cutting off the hair from a circular space at the back of the head, with prayers and benedictions; hence, entrance or admission into minor orders
shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order the shaved crown of a monk's or priest's head shave the head of a newly inducted monk
The often ritual shaving of the crown of the head as a sign of humility and ones religious vocation. Some tonsures were more dramatic than others, leaving only a fringe of hair. Abolished by Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church