parson

[pahr-suh n]

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noun

a member of the clergy, especially a Protestant minister; pastor; rector.

the holder or incumbent of a parochial benefice, especially an Anglican.

Origin of parson

1200–50; Middle English persone < Medieval Latin persōna parish priest, Latin: personage. See person

Related formspar·son·ic

[pahr-son-ik] /pɑrˈsɒn ɪk/, par·son·i·cal, adjectivepar·son·i·cal·ly, adverbpar·son·ish, par·son·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for parson

vicar, pastor, preacher, priest, chaplain, minister, rector, ecclesiastic, padre, reverend

Examples from the Web for parson

Contemporary Examples of parson

Who is Parson Brown, and why are these people making a snowman that looks like him?
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO)
Kevin Fallon
December 24, 2014
Step up to the office, examine the stock, take your pick, pay your money and drive to the parson.
Still Looking for Mr. Right
Francesca Beauman
February 12, 2010

Historical Examples of parson

I am sure, as you know, no one ever stood by me—when there was a parson at hand.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 14, 1870
Various
"We were going to hunt up a parson in Upper Chester," said the Captain, sheepishly.
Quaint Courtships
Various
"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson Jones.
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates
Howard Pyle
Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so.
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates
Howard Pyle
"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the parson.
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates
Howard Pyle

British Dictionary definitions for parson

parson

noun

a parish priest in the Church of England, formerly applied only to those who held ecclesiastical benefices

any clergyman

NZ a nonconformist minister

Derived Formsparsonic (pɑːˈsɒnɪk) or parsonical, adjective

Word Origin for parson

C13: from Medieval Latin persōna parish priest, representative of the parish, from Latin: personage; see person

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for parson

late 12c., from Anglo-French and Old French persone "curate, parson, holder of Church office" (12c.), from Medieval Latin persona "parson" (see person). Ecclesiastical use is obscure; it might refer to the "person" legally holding church property, or it may be an abbreviation of persona ecclesiae "person of the church."