Synonyms for bishop

Grammar : Noun

Spell : bish-uh p

Phonetic Transcription : ˈbɪʃ əp

Top 10 synonyms for bishop

Other synonyms for the word bishop

Définition of bishop

Origin : Old English bisceop "bishop, high priest (Jewish or pagan)," from Late Latin episcopus, from Greek episkopos "watcher, overseer," a title for various government officials, later taken over in a Church sense, from epi- "over" (see epi-) + skopos "watcher," from skeptesthai "look at" (see scope (n.1)). Given a specific sense in the Church, but the word also was used in the New Testament as a descriptive title for elders, and continues as such in some non-hierarchical Christian sects.
A curious example of word-change, as effected by the genius of different tongues, is furnished by the English bishop and the French évêque. Both are from the same root, furnishing, perhaps the only example of two words from a common stem so modifying themselves in historical times as not to have a letter in common. (Of course many words from a far off Aryan stem are in the same condition.) The English strikes off the initial and terminal syllables, leaving only piscop, which the Saxon preference for the softer labial and hissing sounds modified into bishop. Évêque (formerly evesque) merely softens the p into v and drops the last syllable. [William S. Walsh, "Handy-Book of Literary Curiosities," Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, 1892]
Late Latin episcopus in Spanish became obispo. Cognate with Old Saxon biscop, Old High German biscof. The chess piece (formerly archer, before that alfin) was so called from 1560s.

noun clergyman

Example sentences :

Art surely no mere clerk, but bishop or cardinal at the least.
Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

"I hurt my leg and cannot ride," quoth the bishop's champion.
Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

At last the Bishop turned towards the assistants and sprinkled them in their turn.
Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola

"You are putting the bishop into the place of the knight," said Clarence.
Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth

The Bishop admitted it, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar's image.
Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier

The inferior clergy were by no means so lenient as the Bishop.
Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier

Robin stopped his minstrelsy, and said to the bishop, "This seems to me an unfit match."
Extract from : « Maid Marian » by Thomas Love Peacock

Bishop then came undesignedly sidling in the direction of the sideboard.
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

Mr Merdle made a similar reply, and Bishop explained his reason for inquiring.
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

Bishop had no idea that there was anything significant in the occasion.
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

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