parvis

par·vis

noun \ˈpär-vəs\

Definition of PARVIS

1

: a court or enclosed space before a building (as a church)

2

: a single portico or colonnade before a church

Variants of PARVIS

par·vis also par·vise \ˈpär-vəs\

Origin of PARVIS

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

First Known Use: 14th century