Bish"op (&?;), n. [OE. bischop,
biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop, biscop, L.
episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr. Gr. &?;,
&?; over + &?; inspector, fr. root of &?;, &?;,
to look to, perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See Spy,
and cf. Episcopal.]
1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or
director.
Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1 Pet. ii. 25.
It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians of all
shades of opinion, that in the language of the New Testament the same
officer in the church is called indifferently "bishop" ( &?; ) and "elder"
or "presbyter."
J. B. Lightfoot.
2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or
Protestant Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of the
ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally claiming to be a
successor of the Apostles. The bishop is usually the spiritual head or
ruler of a diocese, bishopric, or see.
Bishop in partibus [infidelium]
(R. C. Ch.), a bishop of a see which does not actually exist;
one who has the office of bishop, without especial jurisdiction.
Shipley. -- Titular bishop (R. C. Ch.),
a term officially substituted in 1882 for bishop in partibus. --
Bench of Bishops. See under Bench.
3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other
churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents.
4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a
representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called
archer.
5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or
lemons, and sugar. Swift.
6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U.
S.]
If, by her bishop, or her "grace" alone,
A genuine lady, or a church, is known.
Saxe.
Bish"op, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Bishoped (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Bishoping.] To admit into the church by confirmation; to
confirm; hence, to receive formally to favor.
Bish"op (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Bishoped (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Bishoping.] [From the name of the scoundrel who first practiced it.
Youatt.] (Far.) To make seem younger, by operating on
the teeth; as, to bishop an old horse or his teeth.
The plan adopted is to cut off all the nippers with a saw to the proper
length, and then with a cutting instrument the operator scoops out an oval
cavity in the corner nippers, which is afterwards burnt with a hot iron
until it is black. J. H. Walsh.
