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episcopacy

Pronunciation: /ɪˈpɪskəpəsi, ɛ-/
Definition of episcopacy

noun (plural episcopacies)

[mass noun]
  • government of a Church by bishops.
  • (the episcopacy) the bishops of a region or church collectively.
  • the office of a bishop.

Origin:

mid 17th century: from ecclesiastical Latin episcopatus 'episcopate', on the pattern of prelacy

episcopacy in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of episcopacy in the US English dictionary

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