n.
- (in the Christian Church) a small administrative district with its own church and clergy.
-
(also civil parish)
Brit. the smallest unit of local government in rural areas.
- US (in Louisiana) a territorial division corresponding to a county in other states.
Etymology
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. and OFr. paroche, from late L. parochia, from Gk paroikia ‘sojourning’, based on para- ‘beside, subsidiary’ + oikos ‘dwelling’.
