sexton

views updated Jun 11 2018

sexton a person who looks after a church and churchyard, typically acting as bell-ringer and gravedigger; in early use, often the sacristan in a religious house or cathedral, having charge of the vestments, sacred vessels, and relics. The word comes via Anglo-Norman French from medieval Latin sacristanus ‘sacristan’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

sexton

views updated Jun 11 2018

sexton sacristan, (later) guardian of a church fabric and churchyard, bell-ringer and grave-digger. XIV. ME. segerstane, secristeyn, sekesteyn, sexteyn, (from XVI) sexton — AN., OF. segerstein, secrestein — medL. sacristānus SACRISTAN.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

sexton

views updated May 18 2018

sex·ton / ˈsekstən/ • n. a person who looks after a church and churchyard, sometimes acting as bell-ringer and formerly as a gravedigger.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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