Word Direct Answers

What does "bishop" mean?

Bishop: 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" ( J. B. Lightfoot.

Additional senses

  1. 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.
  2. 3.In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents.
  3. 4.A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called archer.
  4. 5.A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar. Swift.
  5. 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.
  6. 7.To admit into the church by confirmation; to confirm; hence, to receive formally to favor.
  7. 8.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.

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