parvis

American  

[pahr-vis] / ˈpɑr vɪs /

noun

1. a vacant enclosed area in front of a church.

2. a colonnade or portico in front of a church.

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parvis British  

/ ˈpɑːvɪs /

noun

1. a court or portico in front of a building, esp a church

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Etymology

Origin of parvis

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French; Old French pare ( v ) is < Late Latin paradīsus church courtyard, originally the one before St. Peter's, Rome. See paradise

Example Sentences

“They do what they have to do, and we find out at the end,” said Parvis Mizrahi, owner of the Prince & Princess merchandise shop and its building.

From Washington Post • Nov. 26, 2021

“A new hospital is needed, but the right hospital, not this proposal,” Doctors Community attorneys Peter P. Parvis and Jennifer J. Coyne said in a May 4 letter to the state panel.

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2015

Tom Parvis says he looked down when Butch wouldn’t budge and saw the ring, which was inscribed “Love to John, from Karen 12-2-95.”

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2015

The Fars report cited Parvis Sorouri, a member of the parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee.

From BusinessWeek • Dec. 13, 2011

Colbert continued the good work and put up the first mile-stone, or whatever its equivalent was in that day, measuring from the Parvis de Notre Dame at Paris.

From The Automobilist Abroad by Mansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)