[f. BISHOP v.1 + -ING1.]
1. The action or rite of confirmation. arch.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 101. Heom com to þe halȝa gast þurh heore bisceopunge.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 7. Cristendom, and bisschoppynge.
a. 1535. More, Wks. (1557), 378. That they call confirmacion, ye people call bishopping.
1732. Neal, Hist. Purit., I. 505. Bishoping of children, Organs, Wafter-Cakes, &c.
1884. Chr. Commonw., 13 Nov., 63/2. A considerable time often elapsed between the baptism and the bishopping.
2. colloq. The performing of the duties of a bishop.
1857. Trollope, Barchester T. (1861), 28. The archdeacon really understood the business of bishoping.