noun

• (Christianity) An overseer of congregations: either any such overseer, generally speaking, or (in Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc.) an official in the church hierarchy (actively or nominally) governing a diocese, supervising the church's priests, deacons, and property in its territory.
  "King James of blessed memory said, no Bishop, no King: it was not he, but others that added, No Ceremony, no Bishop."
• (Christianity) An overseer of congregations: either any such overseer, generally speaking, or (in Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc.) an official in the church hierarchy (actively or nominally) governing a diocese, supervising the church's priests, deacons, and property in its territory.
  "The Caliphaes of the Sarasins were kings and chiefe bishops in their religion."
• (obsolete) The holder of the Greek or Roman position of episcopus, supervisor over the public dole of grain, etc.
  "They gave away corn, not cash; and Cicero was made bishop, or overseer, of this public victualling."
• (obsolete) Any watchman, inspector, or overlooker.
  "There is no place we see privileged from temptations, no desert so solitary but the devil will seek it out; no pinnacle so high but the devil is a bishop over it, to visit and overlook it."

verb

• (Christianity) To act as a bishop, to perform the duties of a bishop, especially to confirm another's membership in the church.
  "Se bisceop biþ gesett... to bisceopgenne cild."
• (Christianity) To act as a bishop, to perform the duties of a bishop, especially to confirm another's membership in the church.
  "Why sent they it by Felton to be bishoped at Paules?"
• (Christianity) To make a bishop.
  "1549, H. Latimer, 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie, 5th Serm. sig. Pviv Thys hathe bene often tymes... sene in preachers before they were byshoppyd or benificed."
• (Christianity, rare) To provide with bishops.
  "Italy would be well bishoped if her episcopacy... did not exceed fifty-nine."

verb

• (UK, colloquial, obsolete) To murder by drowning.
  "I Burked the papa, now I'll Bishop the son."

name

• (countable) An English surname originating as an occupation.
• (countable) A male given name transferred from the surname.