Par"ish (?), n. [OE. parishe,
paresche, parosche, OF. paroisse, parosse,
paroiche, F. paroisse, L. parochia, corrupted fr.
paroecia, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; dwelling beside or near;
para` beside + &?; a house, dwelling; akin to L.
vicus village. See Vicinity, and cf.
Parochial.]
1. (Eccl. & Eng. Law) (a)
That circuit of ground committed to the charge of one parson or
vicar, or other minister having cure of souls therein.
Cowell. (b) The same district,
constituting a civil jurisdiction, with its own officers and
regulations, as respects the poor, taxes, etc.
&fist; Populous and extensive parishes are now divided, under
various parliamentary acts, into smaller ecclesiastical districts for
spiritual purposes. Mozley & W.
2. An ecclesiastical society, usually not
bounded by territorial limits, but composed of those persons who
choose to unite under the charge of a particular priest, clergyman, or
minister; also, loosely, the territory in which the members of a
congregation live. [U. S.]
3. In Louisiana, a civil division
corresponding to a county in other States.
Par"ish, a. Of or pertaining to a
parish; parochial; as, a parish church; parish records;
a parish priest; maintained by the parish; as, parish
poor. Dryden.
Parish clerk. (a) The clerk
or recording officer of a parish. (b) A
layman who leads in the responses and otherwise assists in the service
of the Church of England. -- Parish court,
in Louisiana, a court in each parish.
