Obs. [G., a bishopric.] The domain of a German prince-bishop.
1637. R. Monro, Exped., II. 76. He … left the Duke of Anhalt as Stat-houlder; not only over the Towne, but also over the whole Stifft of Madeburg.
1678. Phillips (ed. 4), Stift, a German word, which hath been lately used among us for the small division of a Region or Province.
1819. Scott, Leg. Montrose, ii. I have myself commanded the whole stift of Dunklespiel on the Lower Rbine.
