churchwarden

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A lay officer of the Church of England who handles the secular affairs of the parish.

   • At first, not knowing any better, I used sometimes to copy a nude on the pavement. The first I did was outside St Martin's-in-the-Fields church. A fellow in black—I suppose he was a churchwarden or something—came out in a tearing rage.
   • One important office that has survived for over 800 years is that of the churchwarden, established in the middle of the 12th century.
2. 2

   A similar functionary of the Episcopal church.

3. 3

   Ellipsis of churchwarden pipe.

   • In one part of Cockaigne an amalgamation of these two last has lately taken place; and the pleasure experienced by the parishioners of Walbrook is unbounded when smoking an alderman and churchwarden.
   • He greeted William with cordiality. "Ah, Boot, how are you? Don't think I've had the pleasure before. Know your work well of course. Sit down. Have a cigarette or"—had he made a floater?—"or do you prefer your churchwarden?"

The neighborhood

• neighborsacristan
• neighborsexton
• neighborverger
• neighborvestry
• neighborvestry clerk
• neighborvestryperson
• neighborvestryman