The Collaborative International Dictionary
Vestry \Ves"try\, n.; pl. Vestries. [OE. vestrye, F. vestiaire, L. vestiarium, fr. vestiarius belonging to clothes, fr. vestis a garment. See Vest, n., and cf. Vestiary.]
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A room appendant to a church, in which sacerdotal vestments and sacred utensils are sometimes kept, and where meetings for worship or parish business are held; a sacristy; -- formerly called revestiary.
He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.
--2 Kings x. 2 2. (Ch. of Eng.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually held in a vestry.
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(Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its temporal concerns.
Metropolitan vestry, in the city of London, and certain specified parishes and places in England, a body composed of householders who pay poor rates. Its duties include the repair of churches, care of highways, the appointment of certain officers, etc.
Select vestry, a select number of persons chosen in large and populous English parishes to represent and manage the concerns of the parish for one year.
--Mozley & W.Vestry board (Ch. of Eng.), a vestry. See def. 2, above.
Vestry clerk, an officer chosen by the vestry, who keeps a record of its proceedings; also, in England, one who keeps the parish accounts and books.
Vestry meeting, the meeting of a vestry or vestry board; also, a meeting of a parish held in a vestry or other place.
Usage examples of "vestry meeting".
A crowd assembled outside in the Haymarket, and asked if it was a vestry meeting.
Harriet had to defend her husband instead of blaming her brother, and the conversation ended at a point as far from the beginning as some recent sparring between the brothers-in-law at a vestry meeting.