(anc. geog.) a town of Afric Propria, near Carthage.

in the Syriac and Chaldee languages, literally signifies a father; and, figuratively, a superior, reputed as a father in respect of age, dignity, or affection. It is more particularly used in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, as a title given to the bishops. The bishops themselves bestow the title Abba more eminently on the bishop of Alexandria; which occasioned the people to give him the title of Baba, or Papa, that is, Grandfather; a title which he bore before the bishop of Rome. It is a Jewish title of honour given to certain rabbins called Tanaïtes; and it is also particularly used, by some writers of the middle ages, for the superior of a monastery, usually called ABBOT.