¦ noun
1. (in the Christian Church) a small administrative district with its own church and clergy.
2. (also civil parish) Brit. the smallest unit of local government in rural areas.
3. US (in Louisiana) a territorial division corresponding to a county in other states.
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. and OFr. paroche, from late L. parochia, from Gk paroikia 'sojourning', based on para- 'beside, subsidiary' + oikos 'dwelling'.