parish
Pronunciation: /ˈparɪʃ/
noun
- (in the Christian Church) a small administrative district typically having its own church and a priest or pastor:
- (also civil parish) British the smallest unit of local government, constituted only in rural areas:
- US (in Louisiana) a territorial division corresponding to a county in other states.
Origin:
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French and Old French paroche, from late Latin parochia, from Greek paroikia 'sojourning', based on para- 'beside, subsidiary' + oikos 'dwelling'