'Bench of Bishops' definitions:

Definition of 'Bench of Bishops'

From: GCIDE
  • Bishop \Bish"op\, n. [OE. bischop, biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop, biscop, L. episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr. Gr. ?, ? over + ? inspector, fr. root of ?, ?, to look to, perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See Spy, and cf. Episcopal.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director. [1913 Webster]
  • Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. --1 Pet. ii. 25. [1913 Webster]
  • It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians of all shades of opinion, that in the language of the New Testament the same officer in the church is called indifferently "bishop" ( ? ) and "elder" or "presbyter." --J. B. Lightfoot. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese, bishopric, or see. [1913 Webster]
  • Bishop in partibus [infidelium] (R. C. Ch.), a bishop of a see which does not actually exist; one who has the office of bishop, without especial jurisdiction. --Shipley.
  • Titular bishop (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted in 1882 for bishop in partibus.
  • Bench of Bishops. See under Bench. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called archer. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.] [1913 Webster]
  • If, by her bishop, or her "grace" alone, A genuine lady, or a church, is known. --Saxe. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Bench of bishops'

From: GCIDE
  • Bench \Bench\, n.; pl. Benches. [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc; akin to Sw. b[aum]nk, Dan b[ae]nk, Icel. bekkr, OS., D., & G. bank. Cf. Bank, Beach.]
  • 1. A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater length. [1913 Webster]
  • Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a carpenter's bench. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The seat where judges sit in court. [1913 Webster]
  • To pluck down justice from your awful bench. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion of the full bench. See King's Bench. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; -- so named because the animals are usually placed on benches or raised platforms. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or river. [1913 Webster]
  • Bench mark (Leveling), one of a number of marks along a line of survey, affixed to permanent objects, to show where leveling staffs were placed. See bench mark in the vocabulary.
  • Bench of bishops, the whole body of English prelates assembled in council.
  • Bench plane, any plane used by carpenters and joiners for working a flat surface, as jack planes, long planes.
  • Bench show, an exhibition of dogs.
  • Bench table (Arch.), a projecting course at the base of a building, or round a pillar, sufficient to form a seat. [1913 Webster]