DIOCESE

[di.o.cese] n, pl -ces.es [ME diocise, fr. MF, fr. LL diocesis, alter. of dioecesis, fr. L, administrative division, fr. Gk dioikesis administration, administrative division, fr. dioikein to keep house, govern, fr. dia- + oikein to dwell, manage, fr. oikos house--more at vicinity] (14c): the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop -- di.oc.e.san adj