Main Entry:

par·vis

Variant(s):

also par·vise \ˈpär-vəs\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English parvis, from Anglo-French, modification of Late Latin paradisus enclosed park — more at paradise

Date:

14th century

1 : a court or enclosed space before a building (as a church) 2 : a single portico or colonnade before a church