sacristan

[ sak-ri-stuhn ]

noun

1. Also called sac·rist [sak, -rist, sey, -krist]. an official in charge of the sacred vessels, vestments, etc., of a church or a religious house.
2. a sexton.

sacristan

/ ˈseɪ-; ˈsækrɪst; ˈsækrɪstən /

noun

1. a person who has charge of the contents of a church, esp the sacred vessels, vestments, etc
2. See sexton
   a less common word for sexton

Other Words From

• under·sacris·tan noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacristan¹

1325–75; Middle English < Medieval Latin sacristānus, equivalent to sacrist ( a ) custodian of sacred objects + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacristan¹

C14: from Medieval Latin sacristānus, from sacrista, from Latin sacer holy

Example Sentences

But I am too young and being lame would prevent my getting on to the step-ladders, as a Sacristan must.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps there is some one you would prefer to have me call, before the Sister Sacristan comes to fetch you?

From Project Gutenberg

And now—just for a moment lest the Sister Sacristan come back—I will take you out of the closet.

From Project Gutenberg

The Angelus had sounded, and the Sacristan wished to close the church.

From Project Gutenberg

The professor of pathology came along, a man who had more the look of a sacristan than of a physician.

From Project Gutenberg