vestry

From Anglo-Norman vesterie, from Old French vestiaire (“room for vestments, dressing room”), from Latin vestiarium (“wardrobe”).

vestry (plural vestries)

1. A room in a church where the clergy put on their vestments and where these are stored; also used for meetings and classes; a sacristy.

   The choirboys change into their cassocks in the vestry.

2. A committee of parishioners elected to administer the temporal affairs of a parish.

   The vestry meets on the first Tuesday of every month.

3. An assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; so called because usually held in a vestry.

• vestryman

• churchwarden

• stryve