episcopacy

views updated May 14 2018

e·pis·co·pa·cy / iˈpiskəpəsē/ • n. (pl. -cies) government of a church by bishops. ∎ (the episcopacy) the bishops of a region or church collectively. ∎ another term for episcopate.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Episcopacy

views updated May 29 2018

Episcopacy. The system of church government by bishops (episcopoi). Anglican churches are, specifically, known as ‘Episcopal’ or ‘Episcopalian’, as in ECUSA, the Episcopal Church of the United States.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions JOHN BOWKER

episcopacy

views updated Jun 11 2018

episcopacy the government of a Church by bishops. The word comes (in the mid 17th century) from ecclesiastical Latin episcopatus ‘episcopate, the office of a bishop’, on the pattern of prelacy.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES