Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “episcopal” come from?

Episcopal derives from Middle English episcopal, from Late Latin episcopalis, from Latin episcopus, from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος, literally meaning overseer, from ἐπισκοπέω meaning to look over, combining ἐπί- (upon) and σκοπέω (to look or examine).

episcopal (English): Of or relating to the affairs of a bishop in...

Definitions

  1. Of or relating to the affairs of a bishop in...

Ancestry of “episcopal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishepiscopal—
2Late Latinepiscopalis—
3Latinepiscopusan overseer, supervisor, bishop in a Christian...
4Ancient Greekἐπίσκοποςwatcher, guardian; scout, watch; overseer,...
5Ancient GreekἐπισκοπέωI watch over
6Ancient Greekἐπι-on, upon, on top of, all over, covering; on,...
7Ancient Greekἐπίas well, besides; For usage in composition, see...
8Ancient GreekἩμέρα—
9Ancient Greekἦμαρday; by day; midday
10Proto-Hellenicā́mər—
11Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₃mr̥heat
12Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₃-to be hot; to burn

Words derived from “episcopal”

  • episcopally
  • nonepiscopal
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₃- →