Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Parvis \Par"vis\, Parvise \Par"vise\, n. [F. parvis, fr. LL.
   paravisus, fr. L. paradisus. See {Paradise}.]
   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. --Chaucer.

Source : WordNet®

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