/ ˈpærɪʃ; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] an area that has its own church and that a priest is responsible for :
a parish church / priest
He is vicar of a large rural parish.
2.
[ C ] (in England) a small country area that has its own elected local government :
the parish council
3.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] the people living in a particular area, especially those who go to church
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD 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.