Episcopacy

e-pis '-ko-på-se, s. government of the church by bishops or prelates, or that form of church government in which there are superior and inferior orders of clergy; prelacy (Gr. episcopos, an overseer, from Gr. epi, and skopeo, to view). bishops or prelates; governed by bishops. Episcopally, e-pis'-ko-pal-le, ad. by episcopal authority; in an episcopal manner. mary payments from the clergy to their diocesan bishops.