in Ancient Geography, a town of Africa Propria, near Carthage. Lie. xxx. 7.

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 of Abba more eminently on the bishop of Alexandria; which occasioned the people to give him the title of Babba, 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 Rabbis called Tanaites; and it was particularly used, by some writers of the middle age, for the superior of a monastery, usually called abbot.