parson

[ pahr-suh n ]

/ ˈpɑr sən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR parson ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

Nearby words

parsley, parsley family, parsley fern, parsley piert, parsnip, parson, parson bird, parson's nose, parsonage, parsons, parsons table

Origin of parson

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

Related forms

par·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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
She spoke of her weakness, and the parson drew out her moan.
There and Back|George MacDonald
The parson never dreamed that any man could be afraid of him, except it were a liar, and he looked upon Rufus contemptuously.
Cradock Nowell, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Richard Doddridge Blackmore

He had smelt the parson before, and wagged his tail faintly as he saw him.
A Flat Iron for a Farthing|Juliana Horatia Ewing
I remember well, when quite a little lad, thinking old Parson McGruer's shearing a wonderful sight.
Our Home in the Silver West|Gordon Stables
But there never would have been a parson among them but for the failure of the company in which Mr. Tudor's money was invested.
Uncle Max|Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for parson

parson

/ (ˈpɑːsən) /

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 Forms

parsonic (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