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vestries |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Vestry \Ves"try\, n.; pl {Vestries}. [OE. vestrye, F. vestiaire L. vestiarium fr vestiarius belonging to clothes, fr vestis a garment. See {Vest}, n., and cf {Vestiary}.] 1. A room appendant to a church, in which sacerdotal vestments and sacred utensils are sometimes kept, and where meetings for worship or parish business are held; a sacristy; -- formerly called revestiary. He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. --2 Kings x. 22. 2. (Ch. of Eng.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually held in a vestry. 3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its temporal concerns. {Metropolitan vestry}, in the city of London, and certain specified parishes and places in England, a body composed of householders who pay poor rates. Its duties include the repair of churches, care of highways, the appointment of certain officers, etc {Select vestry}, a select number of persons chosen in large and populous English parishes to represent and manage the concerns of the parish for one year. --Mozley & W. {Vestry board} (Ch. of Eng.), a vestry. See def. 2, above. {Vestry clerk}, an officer chosen by the vestry, who keeps a record of its proceedings; also in England, one who keeps the parish accounts and books. {Vestry meeting}, the meeting of a vestry or vestry board; also a meeting of a parish held in a vestry or other place
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