[suf.fra.gan] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML suffraganeus, fr. suffragium support, prayer] (14c) 1: a diocesan bishop (as in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England) subordinate to a metropolitan
2: an Anglican or Episcopal bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of succession
[2]suffragan adj (15c) 1: of or being a suffragan
2: subordinate to a metropolitan or archiepiscopal see