episcopate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the term of office of a bishop
  2. noun the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop
    bishopric; diocese.
  3. noun the collective body of bishops
    episcopacy.
  4. noun the office and dignity of a bishop
    bishopry.

WordNet

E*pis"co*pate noun
Etymology
L. episcopatus, fr. episcopus: cf. F. épiscopat. See Bishop.
Definitions
  1. A bishopric; the office and dignity of a bishop.
  2. The collective body of bishops.
  3. The time of a bishop's rule.
E*pis"co*pate intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Episcopated ; present participle & verbal noun Episcopating
Definitions
  1. To act as a bishop; to fill the office of a prelate. Obs.
    Feeding the flock episcopating. Milton.

Webster 1913