archvestryman
|arch-ves-try-man|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrkˌvɛstriˌmən/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːkˌvɛstrɪmən/
chief member of a parish vestry
Etymology
'archvestryman' is a compound formed in modern English from the prefix 'arch-' (meaning 'chief') + 'vestryman' (a member of a vestry).
'arch-' ultimately derives from Greek 'arkhē/arkhos' meaning 'chief, principal', while 'vestryman' comes from 'vestry' + 'man'; 'vestry' developed from Old French/Anglo-French 'vestrie' (a room for vestments) and Medieval Latin 'vestrarium' from Latin 'vestis' meaning 'garment'.
The term originally names a role tied to the 'vestry' (the room and its officers); over time it came to denote the chief lay officer of the parish body with administrative authority.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a senior or chief member of a parish vestry (the lay committee of an Anglican parish), often responsible for oversight of church property, finance, and administrative matters.
He served as archvestryman for many years, overseeing repairs to the church and the management of parish funds.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/09 01:32