antiepiscopist
|an-ti-e-pis-co-pist|
/ˌæn.ti.ɪˈpɪs.kə.pɪst/
against bishops' authority
Etymology
'antiepiscopist' originates from Greek elements: the prefix 'antí' (against) combined with 'episkopos' (overseer), via Late Latin 'episcopus' and English formation; 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'episkopos' meant 'overseer' (later 'bishop').
'episkopos' changed into Latin 'episcopus', which entered learned English forms as 'episcop-' and yielded the noun 'episcopist'; in Modern English the prefix 'anti-' was added to create 'antiepiscopist'.
Initially the root meant 'overseer' (Greek 'episkopos'), which became associated with 'bishop' in Christian usage; over time 'antiepiscopist' came to mean specifically someone opposed to bishops' authority or to episcopacy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person opposed to episcopacy or to the authority or rule of bishops (especially in matters of church government).
The antiepiscopist argued that local congregations should govern themselves rather than be ruled by bishops.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/31 16:18