Parson

Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 7: Maltebrun to Pearson, p. 785

Parson, the incumbent of a benefice in a parish. He is called parson (Lat. persona) because he represents the church. See CLERGY, DILAPIDATION, ORDERS, PARISH, RECTOR, VICAR, TITHES, CHURCH-RATES, CHURCHYARD, &c. For the Parson Bird, see HONEY-EATER.

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