From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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}.]
1. 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.
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He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring
forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. --2
Kings x. 22.
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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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3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and
vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its
temporal concerns.
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{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.
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