What is the difference between a monastery and an abbey? And between an abbot and a prior?

What is the difference between a monastery and an abbey? And between an abbot and a prior?
I have even read the term "priory" a few times. What's the differences?
Religion & Spirituality - 3 Answers - 2009-11-20 09:41:03

Best Answer
monastery is where the monks lived I understand an abbey to be a church - like westminster abbey the prior is the 2IC after the abbot who is the head monk monks are in the monastery and priests are in the church This is what I understand those terms to mean - of course I could be wrong as I dont attend any church.

All Answers
Answer 1
well prior was darker and had more of a street wise sense of humor, Abbot always worked with a partner and was tall and skinny.
2009-11-20 09:46:29

Answer 2
Some of these terms were synonymous, or at least used loosely over the years. However, in a full-blown mediaeval abbey, the Prior was second in authority after the Abbot.
2009-11-20 09:54:23

Answer 3
monastery is where the monks lived I understand an abbey to be a church - like westminster abbey the prior is the 2IC after the abbot who is the head monk monks are in the monastery and priests are in the church This is what I understand those terms to mean - of course I could be wrong as I dont attend any church.
2009-11-20 09:54:55