ETYM Old Eng. persone person, parson, Old Fren. persone, French personne person, Late Lat. persona (sc. ecclesiae), from Latin persona a person. Related to Person.
1. A person who represents a parish in its ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector or incumbent of a parochial church.
2. Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher.