bishop

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a chess piece that can be moved diagonally over unoccupied squares of the same color

   I moved my bishop across the board, putting my opponent in check.

2. 2
   noun

   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.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

4. 4
   noun

   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.

5. 5
   noun

   The chess piece denoted ♗ or ♝ which moves along diagonal lines and developed from the shatranj alfil ("elephant") and was originally known as the aufil or archer in English.

   The Bishoppes some name Alphins, some fooles, and some name them Princes; other some call them Archers.

6. 6
   noun

   A ladybug or ladybird, beetles of the family Coccinellidae.

   ‘Bishop, Bishop-Barnabee, Tell me when my wedding shall be; If it be to-morrow day, Ope your wings and fly away.

7. 7
   noun

   A sweet drink made from wine, usually with oranges, lemons, and sugar; mulled and spiced port.

   Well roasted, with Sugar and Wine in a Cup, They'll make a sweet Bishop.

8. 8
   noun

   A bustle.

   If, by her bishop, or her 'grace' alone, A genuine lady, or a church, is known.

Etymology

From Middle English bischop, bishop, bisshop, biscop, from Old English bisċop (“bishop”), from Proto-West Germanic *biskop, from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus, from classical Latin episcopus (“overseer, supervisor”), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos, “overseer”), from ἐπί (epí, “over”) + σκοπός (skopós, “watcher”), used in Greek and Latin both generally and as a title of civil officers. Cognate with all European terms for the position in various Christian churches; compare also Middle English bisp (“bishop”).