parochial
English
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman parochial and its source Late Latin parochialis, an alteration of paroecialis (“of a church province”), from paroecia, from Hellenistic Greek παροικία (paroikia, “stay in a foreign land”) , later “community, diocese”, from Ancient Greek πάροικος (paroikos, “neighbouring, neighbour”), from παρα- (para-) + οἶκος (oikos, “house”).
Pronunciation
Adjective
parochial (comparative more parochial, superlative most parochial)
- Pertaining to a parish.
- Characterized by an unsophisticated focus on local concerns to the exclusion of wider contexts; elementary in scope or outlook.
- The use of simple, primary colors in the painting gave it a parochial feel.
- Some people in the United States have been accused of taking a parochial view, of not being interested in international matters.
- 1918, 1st of February, "Why I Joined The Army", an article in London's Daily Express by Daniel Desmond Sheehan
- But for men of principle and honour and straightforward thought there could be no middle course and no paltering with petty issues of party or parochial advantage.
- 1969, T.C. Smout: A History of the Scottish People 1560-1830, p 341:
- Its atmosphere might have been provincial, but it was never merely parochial.
Translations
pertaining to a parish
|
characterized by an unsophisticated focus on local concerns
|
Related terms
Old French
Etymology
Borrowing from Latin parochialis. Compare the inherited term paroissial.
Adjective
parochial m