Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Bishop?

\Bish"op\, n. [OE. bischop, biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop, biscop, L. episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr. Gr. ?, ? over + ? inspector, fr. root of ?, ?, to look to, perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See {Spy}, and cf. {Episcopal}.] 1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director. Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. --1 Pet. ii. 25. It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians of all shades of opinion, that in the language of the New Testament the same officer in the church is called indifferently ``bishop'' ( ? ) and ``elder'' or ``presbyter.'' --J. B. Lightfoot. 2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese, bishopric, or see. {Bishop in partibus} [{infidelium}] (R. C. Ch.), a bishop of a see which does not actually exist; one who has the office of bishop, without especial jurisdiction. --Shipley. {Titular bishop} (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted in 1882 for bishop in partibus. {Bench of Bishops}. See under {Bench}. 3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents. 4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called archer. 5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar. --Swift. 6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.] If, by her bishop, or her ``grace'' alone, A genuine lady, or a church, is known. --Saxe.
\Bish"op\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bishoped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bishoping}.] To admit into the church by confirmation; to confirm; hence, to receive formally to favor.
\Bish"op\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bishoped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bishoping}.] [From the name of the scoundrel who first practiced it. Youatt.] (Far.) To make seem younger, by operating on the teeth; as, to bishop an old horse or his teeth. Note: The plan adopted is to cut off all the nippers with a saw to the proper length, and then with a cutting instrument the operator scoops out an oval cavity in the corner nippers, which is afterwards burnt with a hot iron until it is black. --J. H. Walsh.