pew-opener

C2+ Topic:Religion & Belief
US /ˈpjuːˌoʊpənɚ/ UK /ˈpjuːˌəʊpənə/
noun Freq #816642

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    historically, a church attendant who opened enclosed or reserved pews and showed worshippers to their seats

    The pew-opener told the rector that Miss Prism was waiting in the vestry.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · historically, a church... church usherpew attendant
Word family
Related forms pewushervergervestry

Etymology

A transparent compound of pew + opener. The occupational name arose in churches where an attendant opened the doors of enclosed or reserved pews and conducted members of the congregation to their seats.

Topics

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