O

n. The act of obeying, or the state of being obedient; compliance with that which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint or control. Words or actions denoting submission to authority; dutifulness.

 - (Eccl.) (a) A following; a body of adherents; as, the Roman Catholic obedience, or the whole body of persons who submit to the authority of the pope. (b) A cell (or offshoot of a larger monastery) governed by a prior. (c) One of the three monastic vows. (d) The written precept of a superior in a religious order or congregation to a subject. Canonical obedience. See under ...