sacristan
pronunciation
How to pronounce sacristan in British English:
UK [ˈsækrɪstən]
How to pronounce sacristan in American English:
US [ˈsækrɪstən]
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- Noun:
- an officer of the church who is in charge of sacred objects
Word Origin
- sacristan (n.)
- "officer charged with looking after the buildings and property of a church or religious house," early 14c. (late 12c. as a surname), from Medieval Latin sacristanus, from Latin sacrista, from sacer (genitive sacri) "sacred" (see sacred). Compare sexton, which is a doublet.
Example
- 1. Glanced down from behind his chimneys at the darkening faces by the fountain below , and sent word to the sacristan who kept the keys of the church , that there might be need to ring the tocsin by-and-by .