vestry
|ves-try|
/ˈvɛstri/ or /ˈvɛstrɪ/
church robing-room; parish governing body
Etymology
'vestry' originates ultimately from Latin 'vestis' meaning 'garment' via Medieval Latin 'vestiarium' and Old French/Anglo-Norman 'vestrie'.
'vestiarium' (Medieval Latin) → Old French/Anglo-Norman 'vestrie' → Middle English 'vestrie'/'vestry' → modern English 'vestry'.
Initially it meant 'a place for vestments or a wardrobe'; over time the sense broadened to mean the room itself, the meetings held there, and the parish administrative body responsible for secular affairs.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a room in or attached to a church used for keeping vestments and other liturgical items and for clergy to robe (also called a robing room).
The choir members gathered in the vestry before the service began.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a meeting of parishioners (or the body of parishioners) in an Anglican parish responsible for secular and administrative matters of the parish (parish council).
The vestry voted to allocate funds for roof repairs.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/08 05:56