[f. VERGER2 + -ESS.] A female verger or caretaker of a church.
1847. Trewman’s Exeter Flying-Post, 9 Dec., 4/1. The old lady, the Vergeress, (I suppose so she must be called, who attended,) took especial care, while lifting up the skeleton’s arm, to let it drop suddenly, by which means the rattling of the bones against the side of the case, produced no little awe and dismay amongst the rustic gazers.
1889. Daily News, 13 Nov., 3/3. I wonder some old vergeress did not come forward to claim the purse.
1902. Westm. Gaz., 4 Jan., 3/1. The vergeress who sweeps the floor.
