Tōn’sure, n.

(tōn/shūr), n. [Fr. tonsure, Pr., Sp., Pg., It., & Lat. tonsura, from Lat. tondere, tonsum, to shear, shave.]

1. The act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the crown of the head; or the state of being shorn.
2. (Rom. Cath. Church.) (a.) 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, 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 holy orders. (b.) The corona or crown which priests wear as a mark of their order, and of their rank in the church.