bishop

Pluralbishops

Formsbishops, bishoping, bishoped

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A senior Christian leader who is in charge of the churches and priests across a wide area.

   Like a principal in charge of many schools instead of just one.

   The bishop visited every church in the area once a year.

   Three bishops met to choose a new leader.

   Similarprelate

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A chess piece that moves any number of squares along diagonal lines.

   Like a runner who can only travel on diagonal paths, never straight ahead.

   She moved her bishop to attack the queen.

   The bishop can only stay on one color of squares.

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   A sweet, warm drink made from wine mixed with oranges, lemons, and sugar.

   Like a sweet, warm fruit punch you drink in winter.

   On cold nights they made a pot of bishop with oranges and sugar.

   He poured everyone a cup of hot bishop.

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   A small, brightly colored African bird related to weaverbirds.

   Like a sparrow that turns bright red when it wants to attract a mate.

   A red bishop flashed across the reeds near the river.

   Bishops build round nests woven from grass.

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To carry out the duties of a senior church leader, especially confirming someone into the church.

   Like a teacher who officially welcomes new students into the school.

   The elder will bishop the children at the spring service.

   Who will bishop the new members this year?

   Similarconfirm

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To appoint someone as a senior church leader.

   Like promoting a worker to manage a whole region instead of one shop.

   The church chose to bishop him after years of faithful service.

   They will bishop her next month in the cathedral.

   Similarconsecrate

   Note
7. 7
   nounnonstandardcountable

   A high-ranking priest or leader holding a similar role in a non-Christian religion.

   Like calling the leader of any team a captain, even in a sport that doesn't use the word.

   The Mormon bishop led the local congregation each week.

   Each bishop in the faith guides one community.

   Note
8. 8
   noununcountable

   A small flowering plant belonging to the Bifora group of the carrot family.

   The bishop grew wild along the edge of the field.

   They found a patch of bishop blooming in early summer.

9. 9
   noundialectalcountable

   A small, round, often red-and-black-spotted beetle of the ladybug family.

   Like a little spotted beetle that people say brings good luck.

   A bishop landed on her sleeve and crawled toward her wrist.

   The children counted the spots on the little bishop.

   Similarladybird, ladybug

   Note
10. 10
    verbtransitive

    To make a horse look younger than it is, usually by changing its teeth.

    Like painting over rust to make an old car look new.

    The trader tried to bishop the old mare before the sale.

    Dishonest dealers would bishop their horses to get a better price.

    Note
11. 11
    verbdialectalUKtransitive or intransitive

    To let milk or other food burn while it is cooking.

    Like leaving food on the stove until it burns black.

    She left the pan too long and bishoped the milk.

    Watch the pot so you don't bishop the porridge.

    Similarscorch, burn

    Note
12. 12
    nouncountable

    A person picked to lead the fun at the old Feast of Fools or on St. Nicholas Day.

    The choirboy was made bishop for the St. Nicholas Day feast.

    Everyone obeyed the bishop's silly orders throughout the festival.

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