parson

[ pahr-suhn ]

noun

1. a member of the clergy, especially a Protestant minister; pastor; rector.
2. the holder or incumbent of a parochial benefice, especially an Anglican.

parson

/ ˈpɑːsən; pɑːˈsɒnɪk /

noun

1. a parish priest in the Church of England, formerly applied only to those who held ecclesiastical benefices
2. any clergyman
3. a nonconformist minister

Derived Forms

• parsonic, adjective

Other Words From

• par·son·ic [pahr-, son, -ik], par·soni·cal adjective
• par·soni·cal·ly adverb
• parson·ish parson·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parson¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parson¹

C13: from Medieval Latin persōna parish priest, representative of the parish, from Latin: personage; see person

Example Sentences

The Growlr site where the 16-year-old and Parson met has a policy of requiring anyone using the site to be at least 18 years old, which is the legal age of consent in Florida.

From Washington Blade

The affidavit says RT then repeated his account of his interactions with Parson that he gave to the officers who stopped him in his car earlier that morning.

From Washington Blade

A charging document says Manan was charged with making threats to do bodily harm against Parson.

From Washington Blade

Who is Parson Brown, and why are these people making a snowman that looks like him?

From The Daily Beast

Step up to the office, examine the stock, take your pick, pay your money and drive to the parson.

From The Daily Beast

A Wasp friend remarks that I would have made an imposing country parson.

From The Daily Beast

"Take me back, Jack; take me back to Mrs. Haggard's at once," the poor little woman had pleaded to the parson.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a new breed, that parson, a genuwine no-two-alike, come-one-in-a-box kind.

From Project Gutenberg

The parson and the man in the street would say Bill Sikes was a bad man, and that he ought to be punished.

From Project Gutenberg

The congregation, forgetting the sacredness of the place, were in a broad grin, and the parson looked daggers.

From Project Gutenberg

The "scratchings" and "knocks" were only heard when Parson's little daughter was in bed.

From Project Gutenberg