episcopacy

episcopacy
    n 1: the collective body of bishops [syn: {episcopacy},
         {episcopate}]
    

Episcopacy \E*pis"co*pa*cy\, n. [See {Episcopate}.]
   Government of the church by bishops; church government by
   three distinct orders of ministers -- bishops, priests, and
   deacons -- of whom the bishops have an authority superior and
   of a different kind.
   [1913 Webster]
    

EPISCOPACY, eccl. law. A form of government by diocesan bishops; the office 
or condition of a bishop. 
    

109 Moby Thesaurus words for "episcopacy":
      abbacy, aedileship, archbishopric, archdeaconry, archiepiscopacy,
      archiepiscopate, aristocracy, bishopdom, bishopric, canonicate,
      canonry, cardinalship, chairmanship, chancellery, chancellorate,
      chancellorship, chaplaincy, chaplainship, chiefery, chiefry,
      chieftaincy, chieftainry, chieftainship, consulate, consulship,
      curacy, deaconry, deaconship, deanery, deanship, dictatorship,
      dictature, directorship, emirate, episcopate, governorship,
      headship, hegemony, hierarchy, leadership, lordship, magistracy,
      magistrateship, magistrature, masterdom, mastership, mastery,
      mayoralty, mayorship, metropolitanate, metropolitanship, nobility,
      papacy, pashadom, pashalic, pastorate, pastorship, patriarchate,
      patriarchy, pontificality, pontificate, popedom, popehood,
      popeship, prebend, prebendaryship, prefectship, prefecture,
      prelacy, prelateship, prelature, premiership, presbyterate,
      presbytery, presidency, presidentship, primacy, prime-ministership,
      prime-ministry, princedom, princeship, principality, proconsulate,
      proconsulship, protectorate, protectorship, provostry, provostship,
      rectorate, rectorship, regency, regentship, ruling class,
      seigniory, seneschalship, seneschalsy, sheikhdom, sheriffalty,
      sheriffcy, sheriffdom, shrievalty, supervisorship, suzerainship,
      suzerainty, tribunate, vicariate, vicarship, vizierate,
      viziership