CHURCHWARDEN

churchwarden

(noun) an officer in the Episcopal church who helps a parish priest with secular matters

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

churchwarden (plural churchwardens)

(British) A lay officer of the Church of England who handles the secular affairs of the parish.

(US) A similar functionary of the Episcopal church.

(UK, slang) A churchwarden pipe.

• W. Black

Source: Wiktionary

Church"ward`en, n.

1. One of the officers (usually two) in an Episcopal church, whose duties vary in different dioceses, but always include the provision of what is necessary for the communion service.

2. A clay tobacco pipe, with a long tube. [Slang, Eng.] There was a small wooden table placed in front of the smoldering fire, with decanters, a jar of tobacco, and two long churchwardens. W. Black.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition