episcopal

[ ih-pis-kuh-puhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a bishop:

   episcopal authority.

2. based on or recognizing a governing order of bishops:

   an episcopal hierarchy.

3. (initial capital letter) designating the Anglican Church or some branch of it, as the Episcopal Church in America.

noun

1. (initial capital letter) Informal. an Episcopalian.

episcopal

¹

/ ɪˈpɪskəpəl /

adjective

1. of, denoting, governed by, or relating to a bishop or bishops

Episcopal

²

/ ɪˈpɪskəpəl /

adjective

1. belonging to or denoting the Episcopal Church

Derived Forms

• eˈpiscopally, adverb
• Eˈpiscopally, adverb

Other Words From

• e·pisco·pal·ly adverb
• none·pisco·pal adjective
• none·pisco·pal·ly adverb
• pseudo·e·pisco·pal adjective
• quasi-e·pisco·pal adjective
• quasi-e·pisco·pal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of episcopal¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Late Latin word episcopālis. See bishop, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of episcopal¹

C15: from Church Latin episcopālis, from episcopus bishop

Example Sentences

He retired in 2013 as the IX Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire.

From The Daily Beast

I am a Bishop of The Episcopal Church, having served as the Bishop of New Hampshire for a decade, before retiring in January 2013.

From The Daily Beast

Debra, a New York-based lawyer who grew up in the Episcopal Church, said the practice has never bothered her.

From The Daily Beast

Before each football season, Parish Episcopal players are required to take a reaction-time test designed for this exact purpose.

From The Daily Beast

A Polish Jew in an Episcopal graveyard in a largely Dominican neighborhood—what could be more New York or even more Ed Koch?

From The Daily Beast

It would be a misfortune if the impression were created that preferment to the episcopal bench was confined to High Churchmen.

From Project Gutenberg

Many episcopal visitations took place during the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries.

From Project Gutenberg

We content ourselves with full episcopal power as suffragans.'

From Project Gutenberg

A curious episcopal ring worn by St. Arnulf, bishop of Metz, in the sixth century, exhibits the well-known ichthyic symbol.

From Project Gutenberg

At other places, exasperated at the chiefs of the episcopal party, the communiers were demolishing their fortified houses.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ecclesiastical
• ministerial
• monastic
• pastoral
• rabbinical