Word: bishop Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English bischop, bishop, bisshop, biscop, from Old English bisċop (“bishop”), from Proto-West Germanic *biskop, from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus, from classical Latin episcopus (“overseer, supervisor”), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos, “overseer”), from ἐπί (epí, “over”) + σκοπός (skopós, “watcher”), used in Greek and Latin both generally and as a title of civil officers. Cognate with all European terms for the position in various Christian churches; compare also Middle English bisp (“bishop”). * The Tyndale Bible uses native English overseer instead. Pronunciation: /ˈbɪʃəp/ 1. An overseer of congregations: either any such overseer, generally speaking, or (in Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc.) an official in the church hierarchy (actively or nominally) governing a diocese, supervising the church's priests, deacons, and property in its territory. Example: King James of blessed memory said, no Bishop, no King: it was not he, but others that added, No Ceremony, no Bishop. Example: St. Ignatius... In his 'Epiſtle to the Magneſians,' he exhorts them to do all things in the love of God, telling them, the Biſhop preſides in the place of God... 2. An overseer of congregations: either any such overseer, generally speaking, or (in Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc.) an official in the church hierarchy (actively or nominally) governing a diocese, supervising the church's priests, deacons, and property in its territory. Labels: nonstandard Example: The Caliphaes of the Sarasins were kings and chiefe bishops in their religion. Example: The Byshop of Egypt is called the Souldan. 3. The holder of the Greek or Roman position of episcopus, supervisor over the public dole of grain, etc. Labels: obsolete Example: They gave away corn, not cash; and Cicero was made bishop, or overseer, of this public victualling. 4. Any watchman, inspector, or overlooker. Labels: obsolete Example: There is no place we see privileged from temptations, no desert so solitary but the devil will seek it out; no pinnacle so high but the devil is a bishop over it, to visit and overlook it. 5. A chief of the Festival of Fools or St. Nicholas Day. 6. The chess piece denoted ♗ or ♝ which moves along diagonal lines and developed from the shatranj alfil ("elephant") and was originally known as the aufil or archer in English. Example: The Bishoppes some name Alphins, some fooles, and some name them Princes; other some call them Archers. Example: A Bishop or Archer, who is commonly figured with his head cloven. 7. Any of various African birds of the genus Euplectes; a kind of weaverbird closely related to the widowbirds. 8. A ladybug or ladybird, beetles of the family Coccinellidae. Labels: dialectal Example: ‘Bishop, Bishop-Barnabee, Tell me when my wedding shall be; If it be to-morrow day, Ope your wings and fly away. 9. A flowering plant of the genus Bifora. 10. A sweet drink made from wine, usually with oranges, lemons, and sugar; mulled and spiced port. Example: Well roasted, with Sugar and Wine in a Cup, They'll make a sweet Bishop. Example: A bowl of that liquor called Bishop, which Johnson had always liked. 11. A bustle. Labels: US, archaic Example: If, by her bishop, or her 'grace' alone, A genuine lady, or a church, is known. 12. A children's smock or pinafore. Labels: UK, archaic, dialectal Example: Here; tak him, an wesh him; an' put him a clen bishop on.