1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Parvis

PARVIS, Parvise, or Parvyse, an open space surrounded by an enceinte or stone parapet in front of buildings, particularly cathedrals or large churches; probably first used to keep the people from pressing on and confusing the marshalling of processions. The word “parvis” is French and is a corruption of Lat. paradisus, an enclosed garden or paradise (q.v.), which is sometimes also used instead of “parvis.” The Lat. paradisus is defined by Du Cange (Glossarium, s.v.) as atrium porticibus circumdatum ante aedes sacras. At St Paul’s in London the “parvis” was a place where lawyers met for consultation.