Forms: 1–3 -had(e, 3–5 -hed(e, 4–5 -od, -hode, 4– -hood. [OE. bisceophad; cf. -HOOD, -HEAD.] The office, condition, dignity or rank of a bishop.
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. cviii[ix]. 8. His bisceophad brucan feondas.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 21248. For his liuelade Siþen þan toke he bischophade.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Tim., Prol. The apostle … techith of the ordynaunce of byschophood. Ibid. (c. 1383), Sel. Wks., III. 315. He mynistride [MS. mysurde] þe ordre of bischopod.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 2. He þat desiriþ bischophed, he desiriþ a good werk.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., III. xvi. 380. Officis of bischophode or louȝer preesthode.
1849. Rock, Ch. of Fathers, IV. ii. 47. Before he may reach the bishophood.
