episcopal

[ ih-pis-kuh-puh l ]

/ ɪˈpɪs kə pəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR episcopal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to a bishop: episcopal authority.

based on or recognizing a governing order of bishops: an episcopal hierarchy.

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

noun

(initial capital letter) Informal. an Episcopalian.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of episcopal

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Late Latin word episcopālis. See bishop, -al¹

Related forms

e·pis·co·pal·ly, adverbnon·e·pis·co·pal, adjectivenon·e·pis·co·pal·ly, adverbpseu·do·e·pis·co·pal, adjective

qua·si-e·pis·co·pal, adjectivequa·si-e·pis·co·pal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for episcopal

I am a Bishop of The Episcopal Church, having served as the Bishop of New Hampshire for a decade, before retiring in January 2013.
The Faith-Based Big Tent|Gene Robinson|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Debra, a New York-based lawyer who grew up in the Episcopal Church, said the practice has never bothered her.
Can You Catch a Cold at Communion?|Keli Goff|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Comes word that the National Cathedral, an Episcopal Church, will start to perform same-sex marriages.
The Reverend Hall, America Hero|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In 2003, when I was elected bishop, it was not at all certain that the Episcopal Church would consent to my election.
Bishop Gene Robinson on His New Book ‘God Believes in Love’ & More|David Sessions|September 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Actually, the Episcopal Church has dramatically changed in a very short period of time.
Bishop Gene Robinson on His New Book ‘God Believes in Love’ & More|David Sessions|September 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Monastic chapters in episcopal churches were almost unknown out of England.
William the Conqueror|Edward Augustus Freeman
They relate to the two points of episcopal jurisdiction and superintendence, and residence of parochial clergy.
Memoirs of the Court and Cabinets of George the Third, Volume 2 (of 2)|The Duke of Buckingham
The arbitration of bishops had the force of positive law, and judges were instructed to execute the episcopal decrees.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume IV|John Lord
Abbe Buonavita was just entering the room, "I give you the episcopal mitre."
Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Complete|Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne
The episcopal seal of the nonjuring bishops was a shepherd with a sheep upon his shoulders.
Notes and Queries, Number 52, October 26, 1850|Various

British Dictionary definitions for episcopal

episcopal

/ (ɪˈpɪskəpəl) /

adjective

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

Derived Formsepiscopally, adverb

Word Origin for episcopal

C15: from Church Latin episcopālis, from episcopus bishop

Episcopal

/ (ɪˈpɪskəpəl) /

adjective

belonging to or denoting the Episcopal Church

Derived FormsEpiscopally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for episcopal

episcopal

adj.

mid-15c., from Middle French épiscopal (14c.), from Late Latin episcopalis, from Latin episcopus "an overseer" (see bishop). Reference to a church governed by bishops is 1752. With a capital E-, the ordinary designation of the Anglican church in the U.S. and Scotland.