[ 'tɒnsjə , 'tɒnʃə ]
■ noun a part of a monk's or priest's head left bare on top by shaving off the hair.
↘an act of shaving a monk's or priest's head in this way as a preparation for entering a religious order.
■ verb [often as adjective ~d ] give a ~ to.
Origin
ME: from OFr., or from L. tonsura , from tondere 'shear, clip'.