parvis

An enclosed courtyard or space at the entrance to a building, especially a cathedral, that is sometimes surrounded by porticoes or colonnades.

One of the porticoes or colonnades surrounding such a space.

A vacant inclosed space of greater or less extent before a church (often slightly raised), and under the jurisdiction of the church authorities; also, the outer court of a palace or great house.

A room over a church porch employed as a school-room or a storage-room, or as a lodging for some ecclesiastic.

A church porch, where lawyers were in the habit of meeting for consultation; specifically, the portico of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

A court of entrance to, or an inclosed space before, a church; hence, a church porch; — sometimes formerly used as place of meeting, as for lawyers.

An enclosed courtyard in front of a building, especially a cathedral.

A portico surrounding such a space.

The porch of a church, or the room over it.

a courtyard or portico in front of a building (especially a cathedral)