verger
Americannoun
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Chiefly British. a church official who serves as sacristan, caretaker, usher, and general attendant.
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British. an official who carries the verge or other symbol of office before a bishop, dean, or other dignitary.
noun
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a church official who acts as caretaker and attendant, looking after the interior of a church and often the vestments and church furnishings
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an official who carries the verge or rod of office before a bishop, dean, or other dignitary in ceremonies and processions
Etymology
Origin of verger
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at verge 1, -er 1
Explanation
A verger is a person who takes care of a church building and grounds but isn't a member of the clergy. A verger can also lead religious ceremonies, in a behind-the-scenes kind of way. The term verger usually refers to a member of an Anglican church who takes on extra duties, planning details of services and sometimes participating in religious processions. The word verger comes from the ceremonial staff or rod that the verger carries during these processions — in Old French, a verge is a "twig, branch, or wand of office." The word stems from the Latin virga, "shoot, rod, or slender stick."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The doors of St Davids Cathedral were locked at 11:00 BST by the Dean's Verger, Chris Crooks, so the process of electing a new bishop could begin.
From BBC • Oct. 16, 2023
The artist's "Verger avec cypres" sold for $117.2 million.
From Reuters • Nov. 10, 2022
But like Verger, he argued that the story of the looting and recovery of these pieces should only be a footnote to the much more important telling of the city’s history.
From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2022
Now close your eyes, hold your mala in your hands, Verger said, and infuse it with love.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2018
Virginie du Verger was the author of three duets for violin192 and piano, besides a piano sonata and some études.
From Woman's Work in Music by Elson, Arthur
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
