a. and sb. [f. late L. episcopāli-s (see prec.) + -AN.]
A. adj.
1. Belonging to an episcopal church, esp. (usually with initial capital) to the Anglican Church.
1768. in Chauncy, Lett., 66. The numbers and size of episcopalian churches.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 454. The Episcopalian churches are respectable.
1840. Sir J. Stephen, Eccl. Biog. (1850), II. 405. A long line of episcopal and episcopalian successors.
1844. S. Wilberforce, Hist. Prot. Episc. Ch. Amer. (1846), 440. In New York, where the Episcopalian body is possessed of endowments, free churches have been opened for the poor.
2. Of an episcopal character. rare.
1822. Blackw. Mag., XI. 431. A wig, the episcopalian dimensions of which were reduced to suit it the better to the climate.
1822. T. L. Peacock, Maid Marian, ix. The departure of king Richard from England was succeeded by the episcopalian regency of the Bishops of Ely and Durham.
B. sb. a. An adherent of episcopacy. b. One who belongs to an episcopal church; esp. a member of the Anglican Church.
1738. Neal, Hist. Purit., IV. 77. The Episcopalians were at this time excepted from a legal toleration.
1764. Secker, Answ. Mayhew’s Observ., 9 (R.). WE are considered as Parishioners of the Missionaries, no less than professed Episcopalians.
1824. Coleridge, Aids Refl. (1848), I. 7. The diffusion of light and knowledge through this kingdom … by Episcopalians and Puritans, from Edward VI. to the Restoration, was as wonderful as it is praiseworthy.
1825. Ld. Cockburn, Mem., 305. Our episcopalians used to be so few that [etc.].
1844. S. Wilberforce, Hist. Prot. Episc. Ch. Amer. (1846), 98. They would not hear of granting to Episcopalians the most ordinary toleration.
Hence Episcopalianism, the principles distinctive of an Episcopalian. Episcopalianize v., to make (a person) an Episcopalian. Episcopalianized ppl. a.
1846. Eclectic Rev., Feb., 233. Is not episcopalianism itself brought into question?
1865. Wright, Hist. Caricat., xxi. (1875), 360. The Puritans … looked upon Episcopalianism as differing in little from popery.
1886. Froude, in Pall Mall Gaz., 30 March, 11/1. The Presbyterian religion … would have suited the people … much better than our Episcopalianism.
1837. J. Lang, New S. Wales, II. 258. The Episcopalianized Scots Presbyterian.
