churchwarden

churchwarden [church-wawr-dn] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. Anglican Church. a lay officer who looks after the secular affairs of the church, and who, in England, is the legal representative of the parish.
2. Episcopal Church. a lay church officer who, with other members of the vestry, is in charge of the temporal management of the parish.
3. a long-stemmed clay pipe for smoking.

Origin of churchwarden 1400–50; late Middle English chirche wardeyn Examples from the Web for churchwarden Historical Examples of churchwarden

To me (I know how absurd it is) he looked like a churchwarden.

The Shadow-Line

Joseph Conrad

No, all was safe, but her excuse had not deceived the churchwarden.

The Nebuly Coat

John Meade Falkner

The Churchwarden examined the map carefully, while the others all looked at him.

The Old Tobacco Shop

William Bowen

“Never knew my Odour of Sanctity to fail once,” said the Churchwarden, coolly.

The Old Tobacco Shop

William Bowen

Then the Churchwarden said, “It’s my opinion that this is pirates’ treasure.”

The Old Tobacco Shop

William Bowen

British Dictionary definitions for churchwarden churchwarden noun

1. Church of England Episcopal Church one of two assistants of a parish priest who administer the secular affairs of the church
2. a long-stemmed tobacco pipe made of clay