Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback

$75K Matching Challenge is in effect! Giving Tuesday—the global day of giving that inspires hundreds of millions of people to celebrate generosity together—is upon us. Please help Catholic Answers reach our $75K goal by supporting our good work with whatever size gift you can.

We change lives every day … but not without your help. Just click here to assist us in spreading the gospel and explaining and defending the Catholic faith. Thank you, and may God bless you!

$75K Matching Challenge is in effect! Giving Tuesday—the global day of giving that inspires hundreds of millions of people to celebrate generosity together—is upon us. Please help Catholic Answers reach our $75K goal by supporting our good work with whatever size gift you can.

We change lives every day … but not without your help. Just click here to assist us in spreading the gospel and explaining and defending the Catholic faith. Thank you, and may God bless you!

Ama or Amma

Semitic term meaning mother

Click to enlarge

Ama or AMMA, a Semitic term meaning mother, adopted by the Copts and the Greeks as a title of honor applied to religious and to ladies of high rank. In Coptic inscriptions, according to Leclercq, it is given to both of these categories of personages. The Greeks seem to have used it generally in the same sense as the Latin abbatissa or abbess. (2) Ama (amula). A vessel in which the wine offered by the people for the Holy Sacrifice was received (Ordo Rom., i, 13). Pope Adrian I (772-795) presented to the Church of St. Adrian ama una (Liber Pont. I, 510).

MAURICE M. HASSETT


Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us