ENGLISH
REFERENCE

parson

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈpɑɹsən// UK //pˈɑːsən// par·son Archaic

n. a person who is in charge of a church or a group of people in a village. This word is mostly used in old stories or poems.

n. a clergyman or priest, specifically one who has the care of a parish. Often used in historical or literary contexts to refer to a local minister.


SIMPLE

The parson visited every family in the village.

CONTEXTUAL

In the old village, the parson was the most respected man because he knew everyone's history.

COMPLEX

The novel opens with the parson walking through the misty fields, carrying a heavy Bible and a sense of quiet authority that defined his role in the community.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English persoun, from Anglo-Norman, Old French persone (“parson, person”), from Medieval Latin persona (“parson, person”), from Latin persona (“person”). Doublet of person and persona.

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