Minster

Properly a monastery or a monastery church, but applied in England to certain large churches (e.g., Beverley and Wimborne) and to certain cathedrals (e.g., York, Lincoln, Ripon, Southwell, Lichfield). The usage in England derives from the term monasterium (OE mynster) used in the Middle Ages to denote not only monastic foundations but also colleges of secular canons, many of whom lived under the Rule of Augustine and were hardly distinguishable from regular clergy. The term münster is used in this way of certain large churches and cathedrals in Europe (e.g., Ulm, Strasbourg, and Zurich).