suffragan

1 of 2

noun

suf·​fra·​gan ˈsə-fri-gən 

-jən

1

: a diocesan bishop (as in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England) subordinate to a metropolitan

2

: an Anglican or Episcopal bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of succession

suffragan

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or being a suffragan

2

: subordinate to a metropolitan or archiepiscopal see

Examples of suffragan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mary Glasspool is consecrated as a suffragan bishop, the second openly gay person to be ordained as a bishop in the Episcopal church. — CNN, 19 Aug. 2021

Earlier this year, her work earned her an appointment as a suffragan bishop. — Talis Shelbourne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2019

Sloan was ordained as a suffragan, or assistant, bishop in 2008 for the diocese. — Greg Garrison | [email protected], al, 2 Dec. 2019

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland had elevated Cook to the position of bishop suffragan in May 2014. — Jonathan M. Pitts, Washington Post, 9 May 2017

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland had elevated Cook to the position of bishop suffragan in May of 2014. — Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, 9 May 2017

Adjective

By 2000, he was elected suffragan bishop of Connecticut. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jan. 2025

As a suffragan bishop, Monica Parchia Price represents the entire state of Wisconsin. — Talis Shelbourne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2019

He was consecrated as a bishop in 1962 and was named suffragan bishop, or assistant bishop, of the Chicago Episcopal diocese. — Bob Goldsborough, chicagotribune.com, 25 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin suffrāgāneus, suffrāgānus, noun derivative of suffrāgāneus, adjective, "serving in a subordinate capacity, subordinate to an archbishop or metropolitan" — more at suffragan entry 2

Adjective

Middle English syffrygane, borrowed from Medieval Latin suffrāgāneus, suffrāgānus "serving, assisting, serving in a subordinate capacity, subordinate to an archbishop or metropolitan," from suffrāgārī "to express support for, be of assistance, be subordinate" (going back to Latin, "to express public support for") + Latin -āneus "performing (the action of the verb)", from -ānus -an entry 2 + -eus -eous — more at suffrage

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1