ETYM Old Eng. parishe, paresche, parosche, Old Fren. paroisse, parosse, paroiche, French paroisse, Latin parochia, corrupted from paroecia, Greek, dwelling beside or near; para beside + oikos a house, dwelling. Related to Vicinity, Parochial.
1. A local church community.
2. The local subdivision of a diocese committed to one pastor.
3. A civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states.