par|ish

par|ish «PAR ihsh», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a district that has its own church and clergyman: »

The minister worked very hard to make the rounds of his parish and visit the homes of the sick.

2. the people of a parish: »

I look upon all the world as my parish (John Wesley).

3. the congregation of a particular church.

4. a county in Louisiana.

5. a civil district in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and some other parts of the Commonwealth.

–adj.

of or having to do with a parish: »

The large and lovely parish church of a country town has now been without a vicar for five months (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

╂[< Old French paroisse, learned borrowing from Late Latin parochia, alteration of paroecia < Late Greek paroikíā ultimately < Greek para- near + oîkos a dwelling]