I. -pəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin episcopalis, from episcopus bishop + Latin -alis -al — more at bishop
1. : of, being, or suited to a bishop
episcopal jurisdiction
episcopal chairman of the education department
an episcopal voice
an episcopal class
: diocesan
episcopal lands
2.
a. : of, advocating, or governed by an episcopacy
subject to neither presbyterian nor episcopal system
did not save the episcopal author from royal displeasure — Douglas Bush
entertains friendly feelings for the Old Catholic and Lutheran episcopal churches — Sobornost
: hierarchical
the church of the first few centuries had an episcopal type of government — E.A.Nida
b. usually capitalized : of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Church in Scotland
an episcopal rector
sometimes : anglican
• episcopally adverb
II. noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
: episcopalian — not often in formal use