Also 6 -dome. [f. BISHOP + -DOM; cf. OE. bisceopdóm bishopric.]
† 1. = BISHOPHOOD. Obs.
a. 887. O. E. Chron., an. 660. Wine heold þone biscepdom iii ʓear.
1635. J. Skidmore, in Lee, Valid. Anglic. Ord. (1869), 86. He giveth power of bishopdom to the party consecrated.
2. Episcopal order; episcopate; also concr. bishops collectively.
1641. Milton, Animadv., Wks. (1851), 194. The succession, and divine right of Bishopdom.
1807. W. Taylor, in Ann. Rev., V. 578. A real bishopdom prevails in the allied sect.
1858. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., I. xxxix. 150. Bishopdom is up in arms.
† 3. The personality of a bishop. Obs.
1589. Marprel. Epit. (1843), 4. The Puritans Crushe the very braine of your Bishopdomes.
1589. Hay any Work (1844), 60. Though they have none of your Bishopdomes.