Parson \Par"son\, n. [OE. persone person, parson, OF. persone,
   F. personne person, LL. persona (sc. ecclesiae), fr. L.
   persona a person. See Person.]
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   1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) 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.
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   2. Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is
      in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher.
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            He hears the parson pray and preach.  --Longfellow.
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   Parson bird (Zool.), a New Zealand bird (Prosthemadera
      Nov[ae]seelandi[ae]) 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.
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