/par"ish/ , n.
1. an ecclesiastical district having its own church and member of the clergy.
2. a local church with its field of activity.
3. (in Louisiana) a county.
4. the people of an ecclesiastical or civil parish.
5. Curling. house (def. 20).
6. on the parish , Brit.
a. receiving charity from local authorities.
b. Informal. meagerly or inadequately supplied.
[ 1250-1300; ME, var. of parosshe paroisse parochia, alter. of paroecia paroikía, deriv. of Gk pároikos neighbor, (in Christian usage) sojourner (see PAROICOUS); see -IA ]