Definition of bishop
1 : one having spiritual or ecclesiastical supervision: such asa : an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyman ranking above a priest, having authority to ordain and confirm, and typically governing a dioceseb : any of various Protestant clerical officials who superintend other clergyc : a Mormon high priest presiding over a ward or over all other bishops and over the Aaronic priesthood
2 : either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied squares
3 : mulled port wine flavored with oranges and cloves
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Examples of bishop in a sentence
the Bishop of New York
Did You Know?
The Old English word bisceop, from which we get our English word bishop, comes from the Latin word episcopus. Like many other Latin words connected with religion and the church, this was borrowed from Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written. The Greek word episkopos, meaning “overseer,” was first used for officials in government, and later came to be used for church leaders. In the Bible, bishop and priest were used to identify the same thing. It was much later when a bishop became overseer of a large district, or diocese.
Origin and Etymology of bishop
Middle English bisshop, from Old English bisceop, from Late Latin episcopus, from Greek episkopos, literally, overseer, from epi- + skeptesthai to look — more at spy
First Known Use: before 12th century
Bishop
playDefinition of Bishop
Elizabeth 1911–1979 American poet
Bishop
Definition of Bishop
John Michael 1936– American microbiologist
BISHOP Defined for English Language Learners
bishop
playDefinition of bishop for English Language Learners
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: an official in some Christian religions who is ranked higher than a priest and who is usually in charge of church matters in a specific geographical area
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: a piece in the game of chess that moves across the board at an angle
BISHOP Defined for Kids
bishop
playDefinition of bishop for Students
1 : a member of the clergy of high rank
2 : a piece in the game of chess
History for bishop
The original duty of a bishop was to watch over the members of a church as a shepherd watches over a flock. Appropriately, the word bishop comes ultimately from a Greek word, episkopos, that means literally “overseer”: the prefix epi- means “on” or “over,” and the second part -skopos means “watcher.” The pronunciation of the word was changed when it was borrowed from Greek into Latin, and further changed when it was borrowed into Old English. In Old English it was spelled bisceop but probably sounded quite a bit like the modern word bishop.
Learn More about bishop
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Spanish Central: Translation of bishop Nglish: Translation of bishop for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bishop for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bishop
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