n. 1 an area having its own church and clergy. 2 (in full civil parish) a district constituted for purposes of local government. 3 the inhabitants of a parish. 4 US a county in Louisiana. parish clerk an official performing various duties concerned with the church. parish council Brit. the administrative body in a civil parish. parish pump (often attrib.) a symbol of a parochial or restricted outlook. parish register a book recording christenings, marriages, and burials, at a parish church.
[ ME paroche, parosse f. OF paroche, paroisse f. eccl.L parochia, paroechia f. Gk paroikia sojourning f. paroikos (as PARA-(1), -oikos -dwelling f. oikeo dwell) ]