D defs.my
Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913

Parson

/pär'-sən/ · Par·son · IPA /ˈpɑɹsən/
01 n. A person who represents a parish in its ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector or incumbent of a parochial church, who …
  1. 1.
    A person who represents a parish in its ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector or incumbent of a parochial church, who has full possession of all the rights thereof, with the cure of souls.(Eng. Eccl. Law)
  2. 2.
    Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher.
    “He hears the parson pray and preach.” Longfellow.
Phrases & compounds
Parson bird — a New Zealand bird (Prosthemadera Novæseelandiæ) remarkable for its powers of mimicry and its ability to articulate words. Its color is glossy black, with a curious tuft of long, curly, white feathers on each side of the throat. It is often kept as a cage bird.