Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Bishop \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.
Bishop \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.
Bishop \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.
Note: 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.
Source : WordNet®
bishop
n 1: a clergyman having spiritual and administrative authority;
appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or
ministers; considered in some churches to be successors
of the twelve apostles of Christ
2: port wine mulled with oranges and cloves
3: (chess) a piece that can be moved diagonally over unoccupied
squares of the same color