n. [ See Episcopate. ] Government of the church by bishops; church government by three distinct orders of ministers -- bishops, priests, and deacons -- of whom the bishops have an authority superior and of a different kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. episcopalis, fr. episcopus: cf. F. épiscopal. See Bishop. ] 1. Governed by bishops; as, an episcopal church. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Belonging to, or vested in, bishops; as, episcopal jurisdiction or authority; the episcopal system. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to bishops, or government by bishops; episcopal; specifically, of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who belongs to an episcopal church, or adheres to the episcopal form of church government and discipline; a churchman; specifically, in the United States, a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The doctrine and usages of Episcopalians; episcopacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By episcopal authority; in an episcopal manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A bishop. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Episcopal. [ R. ] Wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. episcopatus, fr. episcopus: cf. F. épiscopat. See Bishop. ] 1. A bishopric; the office and dignity of a bishop. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The collective body of bishops. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The time of a bishop's rule. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Episcopated p. pr. & vb. n. Episcopating. ] To act as a bishop; to fill the office of a prelate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Feeding the flock episcopating. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]