ə̇ˈpiskəpəsē, ēˈ-, -si noun
( -es )
Etymology: episcopa te (I) + -cy
1. : government of the church by bishops or by a hierarchy (as of bishops, priests, and deacons)
tough Presbyterian Scots who had overthrown the episcopacy — George Willison
2. : the state of being a bishop : episcopal rank
3. : diocese
4. : episcopate 3