parson
[pahr-suh n]
- a member of the clergy, especially a Protestant minister; pastor; rector.
- the holder or incumbent of a parochial benefice, especially an Anglican.
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Origin of parson
1200–50; Middle English persone < Medieval Latin persōna parish priest, Latin: personage. See person
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
vicar, pastor, preacher, priest, chaplain, minister, rector, ecclesiastic, padre, reverendExamples from the Web for parson
Contemporary Examples
Who is Parson Brown, and why are these people making a snowman that looks like him?
Step up to the office, examine the stock, take your pick, pay your money and drive to the parson.
Historical Examples
I am sure, as you know, no one ever stood by me—when there was a parson at hand.
"We were going to hunt up a parson in Upper Chester," said the Captain, sheepishly.
Quaint CourtshipsVarious
"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson Jones.
Howard Pyle's Book of PiratesHoward Pyle
Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so.
Howard Pyle's Book of PiratesHoward Pyle
"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the parson.
Howard Pyle's Book of PiratesHoward Pyle
parson
- a parish priest in the Church of England, formerly applied only to those who held ecclesiastical benefices
- any clergyman
- NZ a nonconformist minister
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for parson
n.
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."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper