episcopate

3 definitions found

episcopate - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Episcopate \E*pis"co*pate\, n. [L. episcopatus, fr. episcopus:
     cf. F. ['e]piscopat. See Bishop.]
     1. A bishopric; the office and dignity of a bishop.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The collective body of bishops.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. The time of a bishop's rule.
        [1913 Webster]

  Episcopate \E*pis"co*pate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Episcopated;
     p. pr. & vb. n. Episcopating.]
     To act as a bishop; to fill the office of a prelate. [Obs.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Feeding the flock episcopating.          --Milton.
     [1913 Webster]

episcopate - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  episcopate
      n 1: the term of office of a bishop
      2: the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop [syn: diocese,
         bishopric, episcopate]
      3: the collective body of bishops [syn: episcopacy,
         episcopate]
      4: the office and dignity of a bishop [syn: bishopry,
         episcopate]