Parish

n. [Fr. paroisse, O. Fr. paroisse, paroché, Pr. & Sp. parroquia, It. parrocchia, Lat. parochia, paroccia, Gr. παροικία, from πάροικος, dwelling beside or near, from παρά, beside, and οἶκος, a house, dwelling.]

1. The precinct or territorial jurisdiction of a secular priest or ecclesiastical society, or the precinct, the inhabitants of which belong to the same church.
2. An ecclesiastical society, not bounded by territorial limits, but composed of those persons who choose to unite under the charge of a particular priest, clergyman, or minister. [U. S.]

☞ In Louisiana, the state is divided into parishes, which correspond to counties in some states, and townships in others. New Am. Cyc.