tonsure
1. ton.sure \'ta:n-ch*r\ n [ME, fr. ML tonsura, fr. L, act of shearing, fr. tonsus, pp. of ]tonde-re to shear - more at TOME 1: the Roman Catholic or Eastern rite of admission to the clerical state by the clipping or shaving of the head 2: the shaven crown or patch worn by monks and other clerics 3: a bald spot resembling a tonsure 2. tonsure \'ta:nch-(*-)rin\ vt or ton.sur.ing : to shave the head of; esp : to confer the tonsure upon