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verger

[vur-jer]
noun
  1. Chiefly British. a church official who serves as sacristan, caretaker, usher, and general attendant.
  2. British. an official who carries the verge or other symbol of office before a bishop, dean, or other dignitary.
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Origin of verger

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at verge1, -er1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for verger

Historical Examples

  • The verger scratched his head, and looked doubtfully at Henry Dunbar.

    Henry Dunbar

    M. E. Braddon

  • We light our candles and follow the verger down the stone steps.

  • The verger was in the choir, putting the books in order, and making all ready for the service.

    Poppy's Presents

    Mrs O. F. Walton

  • "Yes, sir; his Lordship is here every Sunday when he is at the palace," said the verger.

    Is He Popenjoy?

    Anthony Trollope

  • "But not here," he added, hearing the clank of the verger's keys.

British Dictionary definitions for verger

verger

noun mainly Church of England
  1. a church official who acts as caretaker and attendant, looking after the interior of a church and often the vestments and church furnishings
  2. an official who carries the verge or rod of office before a bishop, dean, or other dignitary in ceremonies and processions
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Word Origin

C15: from Old French, from verge, from Latin virga rod, twig
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 verger

n.

c.1400, probably from Anglo-French *verger, agent noun from verge (see verge (n.)).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper